[Ahynes]

Hey, I'm having problems with Microsoft word and I really need it fixed.
Here's my problem:
I click on Microsoft word... it says "Windows installers - Preparing to install..."
Then it says: "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running windows in safe mode, or if the windows installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."

I may have deleted something in the Add/Remove list... but I don't remember what it was.
Any help would be appreciated

[AcaCandy]

Try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315353

If that doesn't work:

Reinstall Word (or Office if you have the entire package), or depending on what you deleted (delete with caution ) --- you may have to reinstall XP.

[DaveA]

I may have deleted something in the Add/Remove list... but I don't remember what it was.

You might need to reinstall Office or do a Repair using the CD that you got with Office.

[Ahynes]

Yeah so I went to that link and followed those directions, I made a system restore point and I restarted. When I did that EVERYTHING is now a shortcut... I can't open anything. Anyone know what I can do because I don't know what to do. Please Help!

[AcaCandy]

Sounds like you didn't do something right.

Restore back to where you were, then try again.

[Ahynes]

I tried that but nothing works, like anything I click on is like a shortcut. I can try it again because I kept it off the night.

[AcaCandy]

[Ahynes]

Yeah I have no idea what to do.

[AcaCandy]

I didn't understand your last post.

Did you try a system restore to get back to where you were?

[Ahynes]

I went to try that but nothing happens, When I click on My Computer or My documents, it opens the search window. When I click on control panel it says "Windows cannot create a shortcut. Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?" and when I go to the start meu nothing opens, it's hard to explain.

[AcaCandy]

Can you try a system restore in safe mode?

[Ahynes]

No, I'll try that now.

[Ahynes]

Doesn't work either. When I go to Start - All programs everything has a ".ink" next to the name. If that's helpful at all.

[AcaCandy]

Do you have your Windows cd? You could boot with that and try to run a system restore from the command prompt.

[jimr381]

Was this a work PC that is now being utilized at home? Your My Documents might be trying to point to a network drive for it's location and it is not there.