Can remnants of a previous failed Autodesk installation contribute to error 103, and what's the recommended clean-up procedure?

Absolutely. Incomplete or failed previous Autodesk installations can leave behind corrupted files or conflicting registry entries that trigger error 103 during a new attempt. The recommended clean-up procedure involves using the Autodesk Uninstall Tool (if available for your product), then manually deleting remaining Autodesk-related folders (e.g., in Program Files, ProgramData, AppData) and registry keys. Microsoft's Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter can also help remove stubborn remnants.