Windows Installer Error

[Guest]

A client's PC had a problem with Windows Installer, which mangled Norton AV
and other programs, so I reformatted and re-installed Windows XP Pro.
I re-installed the applications, such as Office 2003 and McAfee AV (instead
of Norton).
Now, a week later, the Windows Installer problem appears again. I performed
a system restore to the last point in time when I know it was working, but
this did not resolve the issue.
The error is similar to the KB 315346, except I don't get the numeric code
that the KB article references. I have tried the steps in this article
(although it is difficult, because the 'start-search' function is not
working---this happened previous to the reinstall also).
This computer is joined to a Windows 2003 domain, and the user is a member
of local admins. The problem occurs when logged in as administrator also.
I do not want to tell the client that I need to re-install again. I need to
determine the root cause regardless, as it will likely re-appear.
I'm wondering if it could be a domain policy issue......? I tried running
RSoP snap-in in logging mode on the server, but it gave an error connecting
to the PC in question.
What is my next move?

 

[Brian A.]

Do you have the latest installer installed?
Windows 2000 Service Pack 3; Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server
2003; Windows XP; Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2

Windows Installer 3.1 Redistributable supports Windows 2000 with Service
Pack 3 or later, Windows XP, Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service
Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 contains
Windows Installer 3.1 and therefore can't be installed or upgraded by this
redistributable.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...fc-5f56-4a38-b838-de776fd4138c&displaylang=en

Or: http://snipurl.com/e4ec

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Guest]

Yes, Windows Installer 3.1 is installed. As I mentioned, I have followed all
of the steps outlined in KB315346, which includes removing and re-installing
Installer 3.1.
Incidentally, I found that following the steps covered in KB313222 had some
effect, but this didn't last. Again, this makes me think that the server is
applying some policies and causing this problem. I did not set up the 2003
server, so I don't know how the policies were set up on it.
Am I barking up the wrong tree there?