General advice any good?

1) Describe what happend in non-technical terms and Provide reassurance if possible

2) Make sure there is a next step for the customer to do - shoudl htey start teh installation again? Should they contact you

3) Don't use tech-speak language (I've ranted abot this common IT sin here http://usabilitynotes.typepad.com/usabilitynotes/2009/04/your-message-is-for-your-customer-not-for-you.html )

Hope that helps

In general, the main functions of a 404 are:

• 1. To try & persuade the visitor not to immediately exit the site.
• 2. To try & point them toward things they may have been looking for, if you can make a best guess.

With a software installation, I'd have thought the main objectives of a 'failed' page would be:

• 1. Try and persuade them not to give up on installation.
• 2. Try and point them toward a solution

following those, you could include:

• Explanations/solutions for common errors.
• A 'report this error' link, passing any debug info that would help you fix it in future revisions.
• A 'contact us' box for assistance
• A live chat function for assistance (depending on how much this is worth to you)
• Downloads for any extra libraries/etc they may need

Hope that's some use,

dan