[nutkitten]

When I try to install a program, I get the following error:

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 you support personnel for assistance.

I am not in safe mode.

I have Windows XP Home Edition, ver. 2002 sp 3 on EMachines. I do not have a Windows XP disc. The computer came with, what I thought, was the windows disc on partition D. However, now when I looked at the D partition, there was a LOCK (in place of the folder icon) and when I clicked explore in the right click menu, this is what I got:

Recovery Partition warning! This area of your hard disk (or partition) contains files used for your system recovery. Do not delete or alter these files. Any change to this partition could prevent any recovery later.

However, I am unable to view any files on that partition.

I was going to reformat / recover / reinstall windows, what have you, but am uncertain as to what to do until I know that I have what is necessary on the partition.

I need help.

Thank you so very much.

Nutkitten

[loserOlimbs]

Usually, re-registering the install service / msiexec fixes this error. You might need to reinstall it.

Here are instructions for both from Microsoft.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346

Specifically, what you should try first:

Make sure that the location of the Msiexec.exe file in Registry Editor is correct. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, expand SYSTEM, expand CurrentControlSet, expand Services, and then click MSIServer.
In the right-pane, right-click ImagePath, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type the location of the Msiexec.exe file that you determined in step 1, followed by the value of /V, and then click OK.

For example, if the location of the Msiexec.exe file is C:\Windows\system32\Msiexec.exe, type the following text in the Value data text box:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe /V
Click OK to close the Edit String dialog box.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

Start your computer in safe mode, and then register the Msiexec.exe file. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Turn off computer or Shut Down.
Select the Restart option, and then click OK, or click Restart.
Press F8 before the Windows screen appears.
On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select the Safe Mode option, and then press Enter.
If you use a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the appropriate operating system from the list that is displayed, and then press Enter.
Log on to the computer.
Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /regserver in the Open box, and then click OK.

Note For 64-bit operating systems, you also have to reregister the 64-bit MSI installer. To do this, click Start, click Run, type %windir%\Syswow64\Msiexec /regserver in the Open box, and then click OK.

On 64-bit editions of the Windows operating system, 32-bit binaries are located in %systemroot%\SysWow64 folder. The 64-bit binaries are located in the %systemroot%\System32 folder.
Click Start, and then click Turn off computer or Shut Down.
Select the Restart option, and then click OK, or click Restart.

[Phantom010]

Click Start > Run > Copy/Paste the following command:

 
regedit /e C:\look.txt "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer"

Press Enter.

You won't notice anything. However, it will have created a report on your C drive named look. Attach that file to your next reply.

[nutkitten]

Thank you Phantom....I am going to print out all this info and get right on it. I will let you know what happens and get the requested file to you. Again, thank you so very much.

[nutkitten]

Sorry it took me awhile to get back here but was hospitalized for a few days. I started with this but when I hit F8, it is not taking me to the advanced menu in order to get to safe mode. If I use msconfig and select diagnostic startup, is this the same thing?

[Phantom010]

How to Start Windows XP in Safe Mode


And also don't forget post #3.

[nutkitten]

Ok, being the blonde that I am, I was hitting F8 too soon...duh, lol. Anyway, I got into safe mode no prob. BUT....when I tried to register the file I got.............WINDOWS CANNOT FIND MSIEXEC/REGSERVER, TO SEARCH FOR A FILE..........

[Phantom010]

OK, since you're not going to show me what I've asked for, please do the following:

Click Start > Run > type regedit

Press Enter.

Browse to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer

Can you see MSIServer?

If not,

Download THIS.

Save the .reg file to your desktop. Double-click it to merge it to the registry.

Restart the computer.

If the fix only opens as a text file (in Notepad), right-click the file (before opening it) and select Open With > Choose Program... Then, select the Registry Editor.

If the Registry Editor is not in the list, browse to C:\WINDOWS and select regedit.

[nutkitten]

I'm sorry again, 2 things.....1) have a chronic illness and was back in the hosp. 2) I thought you wanted that file after I had successfully done the steps you first outlined for me. Since I ran into a snag when registering the file, that is why I didn't attach that file. so very sorry. I am going to attach it now. Following your instructions above, yes, MSIServer was located in the registry. ....... I don't know how to attach the file so am going to copy and paste below:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer]
"Description"="Adds, modifies, and removes applications provided as a Windows Installer (*.msi) package. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start."
"Type"=dword:00000020
"Start"=dword:00000003
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"=hex(2):43,00,3a,00,5c,00,57,00,49,00,4e,00,44,00,4f,00,57,00,53 ,00,\
5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,6d,00,73,00,69, \
00,65,00,78,00,65,00,63,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20,00,2f,00,56,00,00,00
"DisplayName"="Windows Installer"
"DependOnService"=hex(7):52,00,70,00,63,00,53,00,73,00,00,00,00,00
"DependOnGroup"=hex(7):00,00
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer\Security]
"Security"=hex:01,00,14,80,90,00,00,00,9c,00,00,00,14,00,00,00,30,00,00,00, 02,\
00,1c,00,01,00,00,00,02,80,14,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00, \
00,00,02,00,60,00,04,00,00,00,00,00,14,00,fd,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00, \
05,12,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00, \
20,02,00,00,00,00,14,00,8d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,0b,00,00,00,00, \
00,18,00,fd,01,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,23,02,00,00,01,01, \
00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer\Enum]
"0"="Root\\LEGACY_MSISERVER\\0000"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

I hope this helps and again....so very sorry!

[Phantom010]

No problem. Don't be too hard on yourself. I understand it's not easy having a chronic illness and it takes a lot of time and energy.

OK. That registry key is normal.

Please read the instructions from the following Microsoft article:

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

Do make sure you have the proper spacing between words and symbols.

It's msiexec.exe /unregister (note the space between msiexec.exe and /) (no space between / and unregister)

and,

msiexec /regserver (note the space between msiexec and /) (no space between / and regserver)

[nutkitten]

Ahhhhh ... another blonde duh moment. When I attempted to register the file originally, I did not notice the space between msiexec and the / (most likely why it didn't work ... ya think? lol. I will try it the correct way now. Thank you so much Phantom, I shall get back to you asap.

[nutkitten]

Opps, only the DID NOT was suppose to be bold....duh again.

[nutkitten]

Sorry for yet a third posting without doing anything but, since I have been using the computer, should I start the entire process again from the beginning or can I just attempt to register the file? Thank again.

[Phantom010]

Did you read the following link?

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