Solved: windows installer service won't start

ok, so i can't really install anything on my computer right now because apparently the "windows installer services" isn't started. When i try to install stuff it won't let me. when i go to run and type in services.msc and then go down the list to 'windows installer', it says it isn't started. and when i try to start it, it says "error 997: overlapped I/O operation is in progress"

can anyone help me out??

im using windows xp home edition, by the way

 

Which version of Windows Installer do you see in Add/Remove programs?

 

none in the add/remove programs, is there supposed to be one there?

 

Double click 'My computer', c: drive, windows folder, system 32 folder, and find the msiexec.exe file (they should be arranged alphabetically). Right click the msiexec.exe file, left-click properties, on the 'version' tab, click 'file version' and tell us what it is.

 

hey, sorry for taking so long to get back to you.

the version is: "3.1.4000.1823"

 

Okay...this article has some ideas-since you already know that the service isn't running, maybe you start with 'Method 2'.

 

well all right! i tried method number 2, and it solved the problem!
at first nothing happened but then i went to services.msc and started windows installer services, and it started fine. works perfectly now!
the only thing is it appears that i now have to manually start the windows installer service each time i turn my computer on. is there a way i can make it start automatically?
thanks the hound, your help is much appriciated!!!

 

You're welcome---in services.msc, select 'automatic' from the pulldown menu, start the service, click 'apply', and reboot...I hope that does it.

If that works, please use the thread tools at the top of the page to mark this one solved...

 

it worked- thanks the hound