"My Computer" opens Windows Installer

[Charles W Davis]

Computer Club member's computer with Windows XP SP3 376MB RAM (256 just
installed), no viruses, no malware, no Hijackers (that can be found).

The internet wasn't accessible. A system restore to December 5, cleared a
bunch of problems, as did the additional 256MB RAM.

There were two versions of Norton installed, and Norton kept complaining
that it wasn't functional. Uninstalled both. Installed AVG Free 8.0.
MalwareBytes couldn't find anything. Hijackthis, just pointed out a couple
of problems in that Google and Yahoo toolbars were removed.

The remaining problem...
When one clicks on the My Computer icon on the desk top, a Windows Installer
dialog box opens asking for the Microsoft Money 2003 CD be inserted. The My
Computer and all standard buttons on the start menu, same result. The
Windows key + E on the keyboard, same result. Microsoft Money 2003 has been
uninstalled. Click off the Windows installer three times and the expected
item then opens...

Any thoughts on this? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Alan Edwards]

Try these:
Windows Installer clean up
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/

Common Windows Installer Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555175

....Alan

 

[Charles W Davis]

Alan,
Thanks for the response. However, none of the items resolved the problem.
It is as if the short cuts (buttons) are directed toward the Windows
Installer. It keeps asking for the installation disk. Don't have one.
What is the name of the Money 2003 .msi file? I could delete it...

 

[Alan Edwards]

AFAIK, the Money 2003 .msi file is Money.msi

I am surprised the Cleanup Utility didn't help. I assume you did
download and use it?

....Alan

 

[Charles W Davis]

Alan,

Yes, I did use the Cleanup Utility. In fact I had previously used it. It
seems to solve problems when Microsoft Office is involved, but apparently
not with the Money.

I found the files and have deleted them. In fact I deleted all files under
Program Files. I have deleted all Registry Keys for the Program. It still
tries to install Microsoft Money when ever any program is clicked on the
start menu.

 

[Alan Edwards]

Charles

Can you determine if it is shortcuts (most likely) or programs that
you are clicking?
I suggest you try here for the shortcut fix (LNK files)
or the EXE fix

XP File Association Fixes-Doug Knox:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

....Alan

 

[Charles W Davis]

Alan,
Thanks again. Those didn't work either. I have repeatedly "uninstalled" the
Microsoft Money 2003 and Microsoft Money 2003 System Pack. On reboot they
are there again. Obviously they were never really un-installed.
I have downloaded and installed Windows Installer V4.5. No change.

This morning, I noticed that some updates were ready to be installed. OK, I
thought. One of the three was an update to Microsoft Silverlight. The
installer couldn't find the folder with the "silverlight.msi"

Once again, I uninstalled them and turned off System Restore, rebooted, and
once again they were back. Obvoiusly the Installer simply is not
uninstalling anything. I guess that I'll have to find an installation disk
to complete the uninstall. I'll check with my other House Call technicians
to see if they have a disk.

 

[Charles W Davis]

The opinion of a couple of the others was to do a repair install of Win XP.
My thougth was, If Windows Installer is the problem, would that work.
Besides, I hate having to resort to the OS install routing. Only 3 times in
7 years of working on four or five machines a week.

Against my better judgement, I downloaded CCleaner and repaired 689 problem
with the Registry that it reported. 87 of those were related to Microsoft
Money. Hundreds of others were for programs that were not on the Add or
Remove Programs list. My guess is that the member needs a bit of instruction
on how to uninstall programs.

I have turned on System Restore and things seem to be normal, except one
still can't successfully uninstall Money 2003 or Microsoft Money 2003 System
Pack. System Restore on or off they always return.

Microsoft need a program like the Norton Removal Tool.