Ultimate FIX to msdia80.dll problem: VC++, x64 Windows Vista / Windows 7

[Blín D'ñero]

Here is the permanent fix to the issue.

Description:
Again (i watched it happen) ATI Catalyst installation procedure installed msdia80.dll (64-bit version) onto the root of another partition, instead of where it should (C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC). This happened in Vista 64-bit as well as Windows 7 64-bit.
It's a bug in Visual C++ 2005/2008 redist x64, with msdia80.dll it does not create a "VC" folder in Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared (it does it with msdia90.dll but that still leaves the earlier installed msdia80.dll orphaned). Not ATI to blame; it even happens with the VC++ redistributables directly from microsoft.com, before any ATI software has been installed.

Follow the steps below, you only have to do this once, and the problem will never come back again.

The way to solve this permanently:
(Windows Vista or 7, same procedure)

1. You have located the lonely orphaned msdia80.dll. Don't do anything with it yet.
   
   
   (Only the 64-bit msdia80.dll (883 kB) is orphaned; the 32-bit msdia80.dll is not affected)
2. Uninstall all current Microsoft Visual C++ versions in Control Panel > "Programs and Features" list.
3. Download (from microsoft.com) and install (with admin privileges, and in numbered order):

   1. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86) vcredist_x86.exe - size = 2,56 MB - File version 6.0.2900.2180
   2. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x64) vcredist_x64.exe - size = 3,05 MB - File version 6.0.3790.0
   3. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) vcredist_x86.exe - size = 2,59 MB - File version 6.0.3790.0
   4. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package (x64) vcredist_x64.exe - size = 4,08 MB - File version 6.0.2900.2180
   5. Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x86) vcredist_x86.exe - size = 1,73 MB - File version 9.0.21022.8
   6. Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package (x64) vcredist_x64.exe - size = 2,26 MB - File version 9.0.21022.8
   7. Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) vcredist_x86.exe - size = 4.02 MB - File version 9.0.30729.17
   8. Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x64) vcredist_x86.exe - size = 4.73 MB - File version 9.0.30729.17

4. Then go to WindowsUpdate, let it check for available updates. It might find download and install a few recent (Security-) updates,
   and the list will grow/change a little:
   
   (snapshot Windows Vista x64, 2 Dec 2009:)
   
   
   
   (snapshot Windows 7 x64, April 7, 2012:)
   
   
5. Then you will see that, in the meantime, the folder "VC" has been created:
   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC (that's the 64-bit VC), and msdia90.dll is in it.
6. Then move the orphaned msdia80.dll (883 kB size is the 64-bit one) into that folder C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC
7. Then register the msdia80.dll that you just moved, through a command prompt with admin rights:
   1. In the search bar (above the Windows Vista / 7 Start orb) type:
      cmd
   2. On the cmd.exe shortcut that appears, right-click -> "Run as administrator"
   3. type in (or copy this then right-click-paste into the cmd prompt window):
      regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VC\msdia80.dll"
   4. then hit Enter
   
   Click OK and close the cmd window to quit the procedure.
   ...
8. Then cleanup: delete the VC++ installation remains (often in that root partition):
   
   
9. Then reinstall ATI Catalyst suite (this step isn't necessary, but only to make sure).
   (To nVidia videocard users: nVidia controlpanel does not use vcredist, so skip this step)
10. Then check to confirm that there is no orphaned msdia80.dll on any partition. If there is, you probably missed a step and should do it all over.

Finished!

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[This thread is an updated follow-up to FIX for problem: msdia80.dll file in root folder]

This content is copyrighted and original from Blín D'ñero forums ©. If you are reading it from any other site that has not provided a link back then it has been leached.

[Blín D'ñero]

• To nVidia users: nVidia controlpanel does not use vcredist, so you do not have to do step 9, which is to reinstall the videocard drivers suite.
• Manually editing registry keys is not necessary; the steps in above post are all that is required to fix the issue.

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[Blín D'ñero]

So far, back on Catalyst 9.2, running great. Played games (Doom3, Prey, Half-Life2, Half-Life2 EP1, Fakefactory Cinematic Mod EP2, Need for Speed Undercover, Mirror's Edge), browsed internet, everything as usual, no problems.

[Blín D'ñero]

Catalyst 9.5, and later Catalyst 9.6, didn't mess up.

[Blín D'ñero]

No messing up by Cat 9.7 either.

[Blín D'ñero]

Also after installing Catalyst 9.8, VC has been and still is fine. :thumbup:

[Blín D'ñero]

Forgot to mention, also everything OK after installing Cat 9.9.

[Blín D'ñero]

Catalyst 9.10 installed and -concerning this issue- all is fine.

[Blín D'ñero]

Catalyst 9.11, Catalyst 9.11 Hotfix (8.673.1) for DiRT2 , Catalyst 9.12 and 9.12 Hotfix (8.682.2) did not mess up.

[Blín D'ñero]

But then this happened:

After installing Microsoft Office 2007, on a 2 weeks recent Windows 7 x64 installation.
Installing 3DMark Vantage, an "Error 1606" came up, that it "Could not access network location C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\microsoft shared\VC"....

It's the first time ever i installed Vantage that's why i never noticed this before.
It turns out the misspelling is all over the Registry. Thread and i don't really know if it is a problem.