Setup.exe starts then stops on XP

[Bill M]

Hello,
I'm having problems with setup.exe when trying to install
Norton Antivirus or any other new application. Setup
starts, runs for a few seconds then dissapears without
error messages. If I work fast I can get to the page to
enter the product code but it dies before I can. I'm also
having problems with the Palm Pilot Hotsynch. It connects
to the computer and the hotsynch window appears on the
computer display then it fails saying the computer could
not be found. I'm hoping it's all related.

Thanks for your help!

Bill M
Wayne, NJ
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bill,

Try cleaning up the installer.

Start/run services.msc, scroll down to "Windows Installer" and double click
it. Stop the service if it is running, set the startup type line to
disabled. Click apply/ok and reboot.

Delete the contents of the temp folders, there may be a file in there
interfering with the setup routine of the installer. Get both:

C:\Windows\temp
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\local settings\temp

Now reverse the first set of steps and reenable the Windows Installer (You
can just set the startup type to manual). Reboot.

Turn off all other running programs, especially your antivirus software. Use
ctrl+shift+escape, if necessary, to "end task" on everything.

Now retry installing some software. If it doesn't help, here are some
further articles that may:

"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/?kbid=315346

Windows Installer Error 1619 When You Install from NTFS-Protected
Directories
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316309

OFF: "The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" Error Message
When You Try to Install Office
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=324516

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Bill M]

Rick,

Thank you for your help. I've just finished trying each
step you suggested (except the one for downloading and
reinstalling windows installer - it won't let you with
XP). Unfortunately Setup still dissapears after just a
few seconds. If I work really quick I can get to the
product code window but that's it. Also, if I try to run
regedit from windows it also dissapears in about the same
timeframe. I had to run it using safe mode. I think it's
all related but don't yet know the cause.

Thank you again!

Bill M
Wayne, NJ

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bill,

The cause may well be a virus (the regedit symptom). Download and run
stinger from NA:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[bills88billREMOVETHIS]

Rick
I downloaded Stinger as you suggested and found
Nachi.worm.a and Nachi!tftpd viruses. I was glad to find
them as I had run tools for the Blaster and Sasser worms
but hadn't found anything. Unfortunately setup still
dissapears after a few seconds without errors. I really
thought that this would do it after doing everything else.

Thanks again for your help!
Bill M

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bill,

Now that the bugs are gone, retry the steps I originally posted.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone



"(e-mail address removed)"

Rick
I downloaded Stinger as you suggested and found
Nachi.worm.a and Nachi!tftpd viruses. I was glad to find
them as I had run tools for the Blaster and Sasser worms
but hadn't found anything. Unfortunately setup still
dissapears after a few seconds without errors. I really
thought that this would do it after doing everything else.

Thanks again for your help!
Bill M

 

[Bill M]

Hi Rick,

I have finished executing all the steps that you had
recommended again. The symptoms seem the same. I chose
Start, Run, try to install something and the Setup window
dissappears after a few seconds. The same happened with
Regedit again (and with Regedt32) and I had to start in
Safe Mode to complete that step. It seems like Windows
Installer has a timeout, or else something else detects
when it starts then shuts it down after a few seconds. It
DOES start and I get as far as the product key window,
then dissapears. I never see an error message. I'm sure
it's just one thing that's causing this, but I'm baffled
as to what it is. Aside from that and the Palm Hotsynch
not working, the machine functions well. Thanks for
helping me get that last virus cleaned up.

Thanks again for your help!

Bill M

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Bill,

Are you able to open Task Manager?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Bill M]

Hi Rick,

Yes I am. Via Ctrl/Alt/Del. I've tried shutting down as
much as possible but a few times I killed a critical
process that caused it to shut down altogether. I'm open
to trying anyting else though.

Bill M.

 

[Bill M]

Rick,
I found the problem. I was working in Safe Mode trying
Scandisk and Defrag, then for kicks I tried installing the
AVG virus scan (it may not be the best but it was free)
with Setup (Or Windows Installer as it's called in some
cases). I had read that you're not supposed to be able to
install software in Safe Mode on XP, but I figured what
have I got to lose. I got to the product code screen and
it hadn't quit yet and I was able to enter it and continue
with the installation. It did complain a couple of times
but when it finished it was up and running and found the
following virus which appeared to be the root of the
problem:
Agobot.6.AV in c:\windows\system32\lsas.exe
I ran a full scan and it found and cleaned it. Then I
updated the virus list and ran it again finding no more
viruses. I tried the install again, this time from
windows and it got to the product code screen and didn't
die. So I got out of that and tried loading a different
software application and it loaded fine. What a relief!
I thought I was going to have to reformat the drive and
reload everything.

Thanks again for your help and thanks for sticking with me!

Bill M
Wayne, NJ