This didn't work at all. I tried everything in the article.
I don't think I have error 1603. The error message I get when trying to install it is “Setup cannot install this software because your computer does not meet the system requirements.”
In following the article's suggestions, I had to uninstall the drivers and present version of the software for the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard. Before I did that, I used Backup/Restore to create a system image of my C: drive (Windows and apps only). But now I can't restore that image either. Trying it through Backup & Restore/Recover system settings on your computer/Advanced Recovery Methods/Use a System Image... produces this error when I click Restart after declining to back up anything again: Failed to restart the computer. Windows cannot restart the computer into the Windows Recovery Environment to complete the recovery operation.
So I tried to get into the Windows Recovery Environment by pressing F8 just before the Windows logo appears on a boot, but none of the choices were what the Windows 7 Ultimate Help Menu said I needed: "Repair Your Computer" or "System Image Recovery" or anything like it. It was just the usual screen to allow you to go into Safe Boot, etc.
Then I tried booting with a Windows repair disk I had made a year ago, but that failed with a Windows Boot Manager error #oxc00000e9 "unexpected i/o error has occurred;" then something about an incompatibility with something attached to the computer. I unplugged the speaker, Ethernet, & mouse cables, leaving only keyboard and video, tried again, with same result. Then I tried booting with my original Windows 7 installation disk, but got the same error message.
Then I plugged everything back in and restarted Windows normally, which booted up fine, except now I have no Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center software at all, so my customization of my keyboard and its programmable buttons are all gone. Great.
Help.