Problem with 'msi' extension files

[Mike in Grass Valley]

Whenever I try to run a program with a .msi extention I get a GUI stating that:

Windows cannot open this file:

File: <filename>.msi

To open this file, Windows need to know what program...yada yada yada

I've tried the 'Select the program from a list' section using msiexec.exe
but to no avail.

I'd really like to install WindowsDefender, but the downloaded file has a
..msi extension and it won't run.

A solution to this problem would certainly be appreciated.

 

[Alan Edwards]

Try the MSI fix here:
XP File Association Fixes-Doug Knox:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

....Alan

 

[Mike in Grass Valley]

Thanks Alan, but it didn't work because of the registry. I got the error
message 'Error accessing the registry'.

Any other suggestions?

Mike

 

[Alan Edwards]

Exactly when did you get that message?
After you extracted the .reg file from the zip to a folder and
right-clicked it and selected "Merge"?

Can you access the Registry with Regedit?
(Start-Run-Regedit)
If so, can you import the .reg file?

....Alan

 

[Mike in Grass Valley]

I got the message the first time when I double-clicked 'msi1.reg' in the zip
file. I was thinking the same as you that I could import import it, but go
the same results. I tried as you suggested, right-clicked and selected
'Merge' and got the same results.

I'm thinking maybe my registry is messed up.

Thanks again for the help, BTW.

Mike

 

[Alan Edwards]

Don't double-click it in the zip file.
Extract it to a regular folder.

Please answer this question:
Can you access the Registry with Regedit?
(Start-Run-Regedit)
If so, can you import the .reg file?

....Alan

 

[Mike in Grass Valley]

Sorry, thought I had answered it; guess not. Anyway, I did try importing the
file while in regedit and received the same error message.

As stated earlier, doing a right-click 'Merge' on the file (in My Documents)
gave the same error message.

Mike

Don't double-click it in the zip file.
Extract it to a regular folder.

Please answer this question:
Can you access the Registry with Regedit?
(Start-Run-Regedit)
If so, can you import the .reg file?

....Alan

<snip, snip>

 

[Alan Edwards]

Can you alter the Registry manually?
At least look at [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.msi] and see if it is
"Msi.Package" as shows in the .reg file in Notepad.

If not, make that alteration as it may be all you need.

....Alan

 

[Mike in Grass Valley]

I can alter the Registry manually, but the '.msi' key acts like it's corrupt
as I get an error message "Cannot open .msi: Error while opening key."

I've tried deleting it but get the same message. In fact, I get the message
with everything I try with this key.

Oh if only things could be simple once again.

Mike
--------

Can you alter the Registry manually?
At least look at [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.msi] and see if it is
"Msi.Package" as shows in the .reg file in Notepad.

If not, make that alteration as it may be all you need.

....Alan

<snip, snip>