Windows Installer Problem

[quietbe27]

Apparently something went wrong with my Windows Installer... I can install most programs fine, but when I try to open them, Windows Installer pops up and says 'preparing to install...' and then says 'the windows installer service could not be accessed. This can occur if the windows installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.' Any suggestions?
(Vista x64)

 

[joeten]

hi you can try the steps here http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/ or try running a repair from your install disc

 

[quietbe27]

yeah... neither of those helped, but thanks for trying!!

 

[joeten]

ok here are some others http://www.vistax64.com/vista-insta...ows-installer-service-vista-all-versions.html this one may be a bit clearer http://www.ehow.com/how_4813669_fix-vista-problems-windows-installer.html and this has some http://www.itechtalk.com/thread5444.html

this is another suggested fix http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 although i wonder how you do it if the installer won't work

 

[quietbe27]

yeah none of those worked...

 

[BillSnapWire]

Hey quietbe27 I know how you feel man, I had the same problem, try re-registering the Windows Installer Service key via the registry editor. Go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324516 for full instructions. You could also try and re-install it. If this still fails there is a theory that you can export the registry keys from a working computer (has to use the same OS) and import them to your own computer.

 

[quietbe27]

none of this is working... maybe since i have vista, a lot of the stuff is different, and i can't find half the things they're talking about... but i'm gonna try to import the registry keys like you said...

 

[BillSnapWire]

let me know how that works out.

 

[quietbe27]

well, i can now open word, etc, but it still has to 'configure/ gather information' every time, which is not the end of the world, i could deal with that, but it'd be nice if it would just open normally...

 

[joeten]

hi i just checked the previous link i gave you and i screwed it up that was for another post sorry it should have been this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301 it may be worth trying incase the installer is hung on something

 

[quietbe27]

hm... it wouldn't let me install the cleaner... and now it has reverted to not opening anything at all again.

 

[BillSnapWire]

Try going to a healthy computer with the same OS as you and copy the windows installer registry keys and the installer exe file to a flash drive and replace the old ones on your computer with the new ones.

Registry key entry(s):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SYSTEM>CurrentControlSet>Enum>msiserver

Installer Exe File Entry:
C:\WINDOWS\System32

*the installer may say that you cannot delete it, just rename it and paste the new installer in the same folder.

just import the registry keys in the location I gave you.

DO ALL OF THIS IN SAFE MODE, RESTART ONCE COMPLETE.