I have an Install that keeps trying to run

[Phillip N Rounds]

On a XP/SP2 machine whenever I try to run virtually any program, another
program tries to go through it's install process.
e.g. I open Internet Explorer, the program installs. I open Word 2003,
everything is ok until I try to close the help panel, then the install
starts.

The program being installed is a legitimate program from a know vendor.

I searched for, and erased, all instances of the offending install program.
I searched for inappropriate file associations with the offending program,
and eliminated some questionable associations.
I went through the registry and eliminated all even remotely questionable
references to the offending program.
The install is not in any of the HKEY_CLASSES\ROOT\... \Open\ command hives,
nor in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.... \Shell\Open\COmmand hives.

I have deleted all instances of the offending program in the pre-fetch
lists.

With all of this, the install progrm just pops up and immediately closes
whenever I open, e.g. Explorer.

Any Suggestions?

TIA

Phil

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

It's probably some problem with the "Windows Installer" entries.

Error 1719. The Windows Installer service could not be accessed error message when you try to add or remove a program:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346&Product=win2000

start/run, type:
net stop msiserver
,put in the XP cd and expand the following three files to

%systemroot%\system32
and
\system32\dllcache

1) msiexec.ex_ ,
2) msi.dl_,
3) msihnd.dl_
, run "msiexec /regserver"
then run "net start msiexec"