While trying to install Java today, I encountered an error that wouldn’t go away: Error 1603. Scouring Technet forums, blogs, etc. no one had a real sense of what the cause was. Some said it was an old Windows Update. Some said it was a bad Java installer package.

Eventually I found my solution: I was connecting through LogMeIn to the device. I ended the LogMeIn task and process, RDPed in, installed Java… and voila! It worked. Re-enabled LogMeIn and I was on my way.