I have also tried to install the earliest version I could find, which was 4.45. Still got 1714. I really miss SETI classic. That was so easy to fix.

error 1714: older version cannot be removed is a windows error message, not a Boinc error message.
Here is one suggestion, go to start, run and type regedit and press enter.
Click on edit and then find and type in Boinc. Keep pushing F3, which goes to the next location, and delete ALL Boinc related stuff it finds.
BE VERY CAREFUL THOUGH!!!! This will delete EVERYTHING Boinc on your computer!!! If you still want to crunch, FOR ANY PROJECT, do NOT do this!!!
If you are not careful your computer can be ruined by playing in the Registry! BE VERY CAREFUL!!!!

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I have also tried to install the earliest version I could find, which was 4.45. Still got 1714. I really miss SETI classic. That was so easy to fix.

error 1714: older version cannot be removed is a windows error message, not a Boinc error message.
Here is one suggestion, go to start, run and type regedit and press enter.
Click on edit and then find and type in Boinc. Keep pushing F3, which goes to the next location, and delete ALL Boinc related stuff it finds.
BE VERY CAREFUL THOUGH!!!! This will delete EVERYTHING Boinc on your computer!!! If you still want to crunch, FOR ANY PROJECT, do NOT do this!!!
If you are not careful your computer can be ruined by playing in the Registry! BE VERY CAREFUL!!!!

Too late. I already cleared the registry of all BOINC stuff. You would think that since I got rid of all traces of BOINC I could just install fresh, but still getting 1714. It doesn't make sence.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

Just an idea. I don't know if this will help but search for the files BOINC.msi and delete the files and their containing folder.
You will need to check your advance search options to show system folders as well as hidden files and folders. They should be in individual folders C:\\WINDOWS\\Downloaded Installations\\{long alphanumeric}

Hello again. @mikey: I did clean the registry already and it didn't help. It is true that the problem is windows related. @Aurora Borealis: deleting the .msi (or becoming corrupted) is what caused my installation problems. Thanks for any suggestions!

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You would think that since I got rid of all traces of BOINC I could just install fresh, but still getting 1714. It doesn't make sence.

Reinstall your BOINC 5.2.6 over itself (repair install). That'll fix the .msi file. Then immediately install the version you want, or uninstall the Boinc version through Add/Remove programs first.

@lougarou, which Boinc version did you last use?

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You would think that since I got rid of all traces of BOINC I could just install fresh, but still getting 1714. It doesn't make sence.

Reinstall your BOINC 5.2.6 over itself (repair install). That'll fix the .msi file. Then immediately install the version you want, or uninstall the Boinc version through Add/Remove programs first.

@lougarou, which Boinc version did you last use?

OK, I tried that. I got a little thing that said "The configuration Data for this product is corrupt. Please contact your support personel."

GRRRRRR!!!!

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

OK, I tried that. I got a little thing that said "The configuration Data for this product is corrupt. Please contact your support personel."

Alright, that's a Windows error again, but this time more specifically an error from the Windows Installer.

So here's how to update the Windows Installer program:
Go to this link (preferably with Internet Explorer). Go through the validation process, then download and install the Windows Installer 3.1 (v2) program.

Having done that you may need to reboot the computer.
When done, try to install BOINC again.

If it still fails, try following this step by step logging manual. Just remember to substitute the ArcGIS with BOINC.

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OK, I tried that. I got a little thing that said "The configuration Data for this product is corrupt. Please contact your support personel."

Alright, that's a Windows error again, but this time more specifically an error from the Windows Installer.

So here's how to update the Windows Installer program:
Go to this link (preferably with Internet Explorer). Go through the validation process, then download and install the Windows Installer 3.1 (v2) program.

Having done that you may need to reboot the computer.
When done, try to install BOINC again.

If it still fails, try following this step by step logging manual. Just remember to substitute the ArcGIS with BOINC.

Windows Installer didn't do it, and I am doing the registry thing, but there is no log file in my TEMP folder and I did a search, and nothing. But BOINC is still corrupt. Sorry, if I'm being a pain. I thank you all for all your help.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

OK, I tried that. I got a little thing that said "The configuration Data for this product is corrupt. Please contact your support personel."

Alright, that's a Windows error again, but this time more specifically an error from the Windows Installer.

So here's how to update the Windows Installer program:
Go to this link (preferably with Internet Explorer). Go through the validation process, then download and install the Windows Installer 3.1 (v2) program.

Having done that you may need to reboot the computer.
When done, try to install BOINC again.

If it still fails, try following this step by step logging manual. Just remember to substitute the ArcGIS with BOINC.

Windows Installer didn't do it, and I am doing the registry thing, but there is no log file in my TEMP folder and I did a search, and nothing. But BOINC is still corrupt. Sorry, if I'm being a pain. I thank you all for all your help.

You might try downloading the install again. It may have been corrupted by the download - this happens on rare occasions.

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BOINC WIKI

Tried re-downloading that, but it didn't help.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

There's one thing I can think of that will probably install BOINC no matter what.
But you need to start the installation of BOINC from the command line. Not sure if you are familiar with that.

The next example is how to install BOINC 5.8.3 regardless of what is in the directory.

Download Boinc 5.8.3 and save it to somewhere easy to reach, like C:\\ (just the root directory).

Then go Start->Run, type cmd and hit Enter.
A command line window opens.
In the window, type cd\\ {Enter}
If the default drive isn't C:\\, type C: {Enter}
Type boinc_5.8.3_windows_intelx86 /a {Enter}

The installer should start. Make sure you do NOT write directly to the present BOINC directory though. What the /a command does is essentially unpack BOINC.
So write it to a different directory. Let's assume C:\\BOINC_Temp

When it's done, exit the command line window by pressing the X.
Then navigate to the C:\\BOINC_Temp directory. You see here that there are two directories made, one called Program Files and one called Windows.

The Windows directory contains the BOINC.scr file (screen saver). Copy this file to C:\\Windows

The Program Files directory contains a sub-directory called BOINC.
Copy this complete folder (or the contents of it) to your own BOINC directory. Say Yes to overwrite, or Overwrite all.

Done!
You're updated. You can now delete the BOINC_Temp directory.

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There's one thing I can think of that will probably install BOINC no matter what.
But you need to start the installation of BOINC from the command line. Not sure if you are familiar with that.

The next example is how to install BOINC 5.8.3 regardless of what is in the directory.

Download Boinc 5.8.3 and save it to somewhere easy to reach, like C:\\ (just the root directory).

Then go Start->Run, type cmd and hit Enter.
A command line window opens.
In the window, type cd\\ {Enter}
If the default drive isn't C:\\, type C: {Enter}
Type boinc_5.8.3_windows_intelx86 /a {Enter}

The installer should start. Make sure you do NOT write directly to the present BOINC directory though. What the /a command does is essentially unpack BOINC.
So write it to a different directory. Let's assume C:\\BOINC_Temp

When it's done, exit the command line window by pressing the X.
Then navigate to the C:\\BOINC_Temp directory. You see here that there are two directories made, one called Program Files and one called Windows.

The Windows directory contains the BOINC.scr file (screen saver). Copy this file to C:\\Windows

The Program Files directory contains a sub-directory called BOINC.
Copy this complete folder (or the contents of it) to your own BOINC directory. Say Yes to overwrite, or Overwrite all.

Done!
You're updated. You can now delete the BOINC_Temp directory.

'boinc' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

'boinc' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Um, when do you see this? And you did EXIT BOINC before you started upgrading, didn't you?

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'boinc' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Um, when do you see this? And you did EXIT BOINC before you started upgrading, didn't you?

I saw that after I typed boinc_5.4.11_windows_intelx86/a. I came up with a bit of a solution. I copied all the files from my laptop. It's not actually installed, but if I double click the boincmgr icon the program starts working. I have to do it from the BOINC folder. I can't move the icon. Hey, as long as I am crunching, I'm cool. Thanks for all your help. Maybe there will be a future release that will actually fix the installer problem. Maybe it shouldn't rely on the Windows installer.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

I saw that after I typed boinc_5.4.11_windows_intelx86/a.

The commands used in the command line option use a space between them. So you should've typed boinc_5.4.11_windows_intelx86 /a .. with the space!

That is, if you saved the BOINC executable at the root list of C:\\
Not in a directory. For if you saved it in a directory, you should put the path to that directory in on the command line, or using the cd command, to go to that directory first. (example given: cd c:\\boinc_temp\\program files)

But ok, for now it works for you.
As of an installer problem, it isn't a problem with BOINC. Your Windows is just a little bit corrupt. So BOINC doesn't have to be fixed, nor does the installer need to be fixed. Try running a registry cleaner program and delete all links in there that are orphaned, broken or otherwise no longer needed.

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Ok, I moved the executable to C:\\ ran the command prompt, and it installed!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!! I am up to date!!

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

5.8.3, is that stable yet? I thought that wasn't an official release.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!

5.8.3, is that stable yet? I thought that wasn't an official release.

It's stable enough for us testers. But you may want to wait for the release version of it. Maybe that 5.8.4 will be it.

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Ok, I moved the executable to C:\\ ran the command prompt, and it installed!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!! I am up to date!!

Laughs Out Loud.

It's all in the following of relatively simple instructions, but I guess IE just started downloading it to wherever it downloads the files to? I'll edit my FAQ on that one anyway.

Now you're not out of the woods yet, as any next update may still have problems.
But maybe that you fixed your Windows in the mean time. It's really a Windows problem, not a BOINC (installer) problem.

But I am glad I could be of help. Maybe that others here learn of the experience. ;-)

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Ok, I moved the executable to C:\\ ran the command prompt, and it installed!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!! I am up to date!!

Laughs Out Loud.

It's all in the following of relatively simple instructions, but I guess IE just started downloading it to wherever it downloads the files to? I'll edit my FAQ on that one anyway.

Now you're not out of the woods yet, as any next update may still have problems.
But maybe that you fixed your Windows in the mean time. It's really a Windows problem, not a BOINC (installer) problem.

But I am glad I could be of help. Maybe that others here learn of the experience. ;-)

Well my laptop isn't corrupt, so I can just copy any update files from there to my desktop, and doo the same thing.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE!!!!