When installing certain applications with a Prism package, an error similar to the one below may pop up near the end of the package installation:
 
Unable to install SXS assemblies. The manifest file contains one or more syntax errors. (X86_Microsoft.VC.90.ATL-ifceb3b9al18c36-9.0.21022.8X-ww-312cf0e9.manifest)
 
After the error is displayed, the Prism package is rolled back.
 
This error happens because 1) the side by side assemblies required by the application are not already installed on the target machine, and 2) the side by side assemblies required by the application cannot be installed by the Prism package, even though they are included in the package. The reason is that Windows doesn’t support the standard API used by the Prism client to install certain C++ side by side assemblies.
 
Here are some of the applications that may produce the error:
•         Open Office 3
•         Tortoise SVN 1.5.0
•         Nokia PC Suite
•         Design Review 2010 from AutoDesk
•         CES educational software
•         Adobe Reader 9.1
 
The workaround is to download the required Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable setup and deploy it as a Command Task in the Prism Console prior to installing the package that depends on it. The downloaded redistributable will install the required side by side assemblies, after which the Prism package installation will succeed. Use the syntax shown below in your Command Task to install the redistributable, and configure the properties of the Command Task to run as an admin-level user.

\\server\share\vcredist_x86.exe /q
 
Here’s how to find the correct Visual C++ Redistributable to download and install: