Problems with Windows Installer

[Terngu Nomishan]

I first encountered a problem with Windows installer today
when I downloaded an MPEG editor. As I tried to install it
a couple of message/error boxes, one with a "Browse"
button, would pop up asking about a file I deleted called
BlackAlarm.msi which I learned is a Windows Installer (I
found asking for this file odd because I was installing
it). So I tried redownloading this file but it no longer
exists. Then I searched the net looking for solutions to
Installer problems trying some, like deleting the Install
Sheild files, but nothings seemed to work or for that
matter make sense for me. Now, after restarting my
computer, my Earthlink taskbar for some reason beyond me
needs to be installed and Windows Installer is asking for
a disk which I either don't have or doesn't work (it's
looking for Earthlink TAR.msi).

Sorry if this isn't enough information. I'm very confused.
Please write and I will try to clarify.

 

[Jaelani C. U.]

Most applications which use Windows Installer to install themselves tends
to do self-checking for their files and their registry settings.
So when a file is missing, Windows Installer will try to reinstall it.
Some applications can be bypassed to skip this self-checking, some are not
(hard coded).
To bypass it, create a shortcut for the application (the EXE file) and use
that shortcut to run your application rather than the shortcut which was
created by the application installer.