Windows Installer evil demon took over computer - need help!

[just me]

Hi all,
anyone know how to disable or reinstall windows installer on win2000?
(msi.dll is version > 2.0) so microsoft's repair utility is said to be not
supported.
almost every action i take in different programs calls up the windows
installer dialog saying "Preparing to install"
that dialog hangs, if I cancel, it takes a minute or so to go away and free
up the program I was in when the installer was triggered.

I think the problem began when I tried to install Intellipoint mouse drivers
to try to get scroll wheel support in vb6.
now vb6 won't start (installer keeps looping no matter how many times i try
to cancel)
any vb program I try to run in AutoCad crashes acad.

any ideas?
tia
Mark

 

[Lee]

Hi,
HI,

No help here but I had the same problem with O-O Defrag - seemed to
think it had to run the installer on launch - sort of like Office2000
wanting to install an additional component that was not originally
installed. Had to hit cancell about 3-4 times then it would launch
and run fine.

Ended up deleting O-O Defrag.

Does it say what application it is trying to install ?

Lee

 

[Just Me]

Hi,
HI,

Does it say what application it is trying to install ?

no, had to format disk and reinstall everything - 3 hrs later, what a pain!

 

[Lee]

no, had to format disk and reinstall everything - 3 hrs later, what a pain!

Hey,

Probably too late - but if you use Ghost or PartitionMagic to image
that initial install it would save 3 hrs.when (or) if you ever need to
reinstall again.

Lee

 

[Robert Tyler]

I was having the same problem recently. Windows Installer would open
up every time I started any program. I solved it by uninstalling SP4.
What a pisser! Can't wait until SP5!

Hate to reply to my own posting, but:

I just un-installed SP4 on my wife's computer and, lo and behold, her
internet connection started working again! Both running W2K Pro on
up-to-date hardware. Be curious to see if anyone else has other
problems with SP4.