- Troubleshoot Installing the CD (Windows)
Troubleshoot Installing the TurboTax CD (Windows)
Every computer has its own unique combination of components, settings, programs, services, and yes, users. The same CD that installs and executes flawlessly on one computer may stubbornly refuse to install on another.
This article troubleshoots the more common causes of installation failure. It is not an exhaustive list of every possible thing that can go wrong (you wouldn't want to see that article).
Before proceeding, take a look at the Other answers to try section to your left. You might find the specific answer you're looking for.
Part I - The Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Stuff
Preventative measures that help ensure a successful installation include:
- Making sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
- Verifying that you have administrator rights on your computer.
- Cleaning up your hard drive.
- Checking your TurboTax CD and CD drive.
- Closing all browser windows and programs before installing.
Less obvious things you should know are:
- Don't install TurboTax on a removable flash or thumb drive. Here's why.
- Make sure your firewall and/or virus-detection software is updated with the latest security definitions.
- Or, temporarily turn off your firewall and virus-detection software before installing. (Remember to turn it back on after installation.)
- Remove unused firewall and virus-detection programs from your computer. Though outdated and out-of-use, they can still wreak havoc on an installation.
Part II - When Trouble Occurs
Here are some things you can try if your CD still won't install despite following the suggestions above:
- Install TurboTax from a different CD or DVD drive on your computer.
- Install TurboTax on a different computer. If you can't get it to install on any computer, request a new CD.
- Install TurboTax from your hard drive.
- Restart your computer in Selective Startup Mode (TurboTax 2008 or later) or Safe Mode (TurboTax 2007 or earlier) and then install TurboTax.
