Installers freeze

[gdwtch]

I have an Acer Aspire 5920 laptop running Vista Home Premium and I'm having
problems installing new software. Some examples are: iTunes, Winzip, Java
updates... pretty much anything that uses the Microsoft installer service
msi, I'm guessing.

I've tried many different things to solve the problem:
Re-register vbscript
Re-register msiexec
Install version 4.5 of the installer
Run the Windows Installer Cleanup Tool on the items I was trying to install
(by the way this tool would not install either -- I had to copy the
executables from the temp directory created by the installer)
Checked that the msiexec service was set to manual
Cleaned out all temp areas

I tried turning on installer logging by setting the Logging key in the
registry, but I've probably done it wrong, as I see no additional logs being
created in the temp area...

I have noticed that some installations will complete if I leave them to run
overnight. For example, this was the case with the installer version 4.5
installation... I just left it running when I went to bed, and in the morning
the machine had rebooted itself and appeared to be no worse off than before
(and 4.5 did appear to be installed, according to msiexec /?). But no such
luck with the most other installations. Strangely, things like Firefox
updates will install, no problem. I guess they don't use msi...

Unfortunately this behavior started many months ago, so I can't pin it down
to a particular system change; I've just been putting up with it. I have just
finally reached the end of my rope since someone gave me an iPod and now I
NEED to get iTunes installed if I want to use it.

I sure hope someone out there has a new idea for me to try, as I have spent
waaay too much time on this already!

 

[John Barnes]

I had a similar problem that was caused by the installer trying to set a
restore point. You can try disabling the restore point creation. I spent
far too much time and got no results. Some programs would run after restore
point timed out, others not. I finally gave up and reinstalled Vista. I now
have no problems and the process was reasonably painless. Hope you don't
have massive amounts of programs to reinstall. :-((

 

[gdwtch]

Boy, I never would have thought to look at that! You may have a point. When I
look at the properties associated with System Protection, it takes a very
long time (maybe an hour?) to tell me what restore points are available for
c: and d:.... and in the end, the answer is "none". I guess restore point
creation must already be disabled?

I also tried hitting the "System Restore..." button, hoping to see some
additional options, but nothing happens when I do that. Do it again, and I
get "The System Restore Wizard is already running. The program will now exit."

Any clues what is going on here?

I really hope to find a way out of this without having to reinstall Windows.
This computer did not come with OS disks, so I will have to do even more
research to find out how to even reinstall. Maybe it's time to call the Geek
Squad...

 

[John Barnes]

Normally, if the computer does not come with restore disks, it has a hidden
partition with the restore data on it. Check with your computers manual or
call Tech Service. Often you can purchase the restore disks for a nominal
fee even if it is out of warranty.

As to the problem, perhaps one of the other MVP's or other posters will have
more expertise on how to resurrect or disable System Restore when it
becomes thoroughly hosed. I personally spent weeks on that and another
problem before I gave up and re-installed. I tried here and on other sites
but no one was forthcoming with a solution. Sorry.

 

[gdwtch]

Thanks, John and Norm. I will look into the restore partition (tomorrow night
-- enough late nights on this for now I do seem to recall something about
a hidden partition, now that you mention it. Again, still hope to avoid that
scenario if I can!

As for UAC -- should have mentioned that yes, that was the first thing I
tried; it's been off forever. Another thing I forgot to mention was disk
space -- I have scads, over 100 GB free on c:. I did look through the iTunes
troubleshooter already; no joy there. I don't think it is just iTunes, as
nothing (not even WinZip) will install.