"Wizard was interrupted before VMware vCenter Server could be completely installed" error

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Cannot install vCenter Server 5.0
• Installation of vCenter Server 5.0 fails with the error:
  
  The Wizard was interrupted before VMware vCenter Server could be completely Installed. Please refer to the log files vim-vcs.msi.log, vminst.log
  
  
• In the vminst.log and vim-vcs.msi.log files, you cannot find any related messages with this issue.
  
  Note: This service is available in Windows 2003 and Windows XP.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x

Cause

This issue may occur when the Windows Protected Storage Service is disabled on the Windows operating system.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, change the Startup type of the Windows Protected Storage service to Automatic or Manual:

1. Click Start > Control Panel.
2. Click Administrative Tools.
3. Click Services.
4. Scroll to the entry for Protected Storage Service.
5. If the Startup type is Disabled, set it to Automatic or Manual.
6. Click OK.
   
   Note: This Service is available in Windows 2003 and Windows XP guest operating system.