software installations stall

[Guest]

I can't seem to install any software programs. I can get through the install
shield screen, accept the EULA, and select the destination for the program.
It then acts like it's going to install, but just quits. Task manager says
the program is still running, but it just sits there - the hard drive stops
writing and eventually the CD drive stops spinning. I'm running XP Pro
w/SP2. FYI - the problem seems to have started after the SP2 install. I get
no error messages at all.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

installer fix- start/run, type:
net stop msiserver
put in the XP cd and expand the following three files to
%systemroot%\system32
and
...\system32\dllcache
the files:
1) msiexec.ex_
2) msi.dl_,
3) msihnd.dl_
run "msiexec /regserver"
then run "net start msiexec"

 

[Guest]

I tried typing net stop msiserver in the 'run' line. It flashed a small
black screen that looked like a command prompt screen, but it didn't hang
around long enough for me to do anything else. I went to your chatNotes, but
wasn't sure what I was looking for.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

To repair all system files, go to Start/Run, and type:

SFC /SCANNOW

This will do the same thing as the other method.

 

[Guest]

Mark,

I tried the SCF /SCANNOW command and got a dialog box saying that it
couldn't find SCF. I again tries the net stop msiserver, but all I got was a
flash of what looked like a command prompt box. This box is getting screwier
by the minute - now when I open outlook to check e-mail, it wants to
reinstall office; if I click cancel, then outlook opens. Kind of a pain.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

You can take sp2 out from add/remove, and perform a setup from the cd. While
going thru setup it offers a repair option (right after that EULA). Then you
can try the sp2 update again. Something was probably corrupt before sp2. You
should also try adware and virus scans.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Mark. I'll try that & see if it works; I'll let you know one way or
the other.

 

[Guest]

Ok - I tried to remove SP2 using add/remove. It went through some initial
steps, but when it go to 'starting processes before uninstall', it just ran
out of gas. I let it sit there an hour or so, but it didn't go anywhere.
Task manager said it was still running - the only process running was System
Idle Process. I'm beginning to think the thing in need of a good douche for
the HD and reinstallation of XP, but then I'd have to hassle with Microsoft
to get it activated again.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

There are a host of ways to remove sp2.

875350 - How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350

 

[Guest]

Ok - I finally got SP2 removed from my system, but it didn't help. Now I
can't install it again. The install gets to the point of 'creating restore
point' (or something like that) and stops.

is it possible to run an XP repair? I'm beginning to think I'm going to
have to format C: and start over.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

I have not seen an error creating a restore point during setup. Perhaps someone else knows more.

 

[Guest]

I found a microsoft article about 'setup stops responding (hangs) during file
copy'. It says to run 'smartdrv' without switches. Unfortunately, I cannot
find 'smartdrv'. When I go to the command prompt, I can't find it on C:\ -
it tells me it is not a valid command. The article is 296814. Also, someone
else might know more, but you are the only one who has tried to help.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Well, I think I have info on smartdrv. It's a dos utility, and you boot to an old dos boot floppy with it, and fdisk, format, and
the drivers for the cd loaded in a config.sys. (http://bootdisk.com and The file 'smartdrv.exe' exists on the Win 98, and Win ME
setup CD's )

Copy this file to a bootable floppy, with the CD drivers ( or a win98/me recovery disk) Run smartdrv, then CD drive
letter:/i386/WINNT.EXE runs setup in dos mode.

 

[frodo]

smartdrv is not your solution - different "problem"/approach.

I would purge all the old restore points (via Disk Cleanup | More Options)
and try again. sounds like you're running low on disk space or
restore-point space. Also, validate that you can make a restore point
manually.

 

[Guest]

I got rid of all the restore points, if there were any, using disk cleanup.
Unfortunately, I cannot manually create a restore point. It started to,but
then it just sat there. Taskman indicated system restore not responding.
Anyone have a big hammer??

 

[Guest]

I will try this as soon as I get my nerve up. I put a scratch on my XP Pro
disk last night, so I hope I didn't screw it up. I sure don't want to fork
over more dough for another copy.

The CD with i386/WINNT.EXE is, I assume, the XP CD.