If you were playing with the early bits of Microsoft Codename 'Astoria' MIX 2007 CTP you would have really loved the power of Data Services.
Well, with ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions, ADO.NET Data Services (formerly 'Astoria') is built-in and while trying to install ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions it would prompt you to uninstall earlier bits of 'Astoria'. I had installed very early bits of Astoria and there was 3.3 GB Size CTP lying in my "Add/Remove Programs" .
When I tried to uninstall the same, it would end up half the way. It simply wouldnt uninstall and I get the error message "A network error occured while attempting to read from the file: C:\Windows\Installer\Astoria[1].msi"
This was frustrating, I reinstalled the earlier bits again and uninstalled but still this 3.3GB thing didnt get removed. Finally I went to the Astoria MIX 2007 Download Page and downloaded the installer instead of "Opening" it (you can do that when it prompts to Run or Save the MSI - select Save). Finally I copied this installer bit into the C:\Windows\Installer folder and renamed the 'Astoria.msi' to 'Astoria[1].msi' (at least it seemed to have lbeen ooking for this file from the error message)
Then, I could uninstall the 3.3 GB Bits which was worrying me for 2 reasons - One is the size that was scary, only Visual Web Developer 2005 was the next big one with 2.5 GB. Secondly, I didnt want this CTP to mess with ASP.NET 3.5 Extensions build.
Anyways, now all this well and this post was to help with anyone who ends up searching for this particular error 
Cheers !!!
posted @ Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:22 PM