The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed... WSUS?

[=?iso-8859-1?B?U+liYXN0aWVu?=]

As you should know, I'm not the first to request an advice to solve
this issue. Most of the time, as an outcome msiexec must be
unregister, then register again in safe mode (and the list of probable
causes goes on)

But here is something different. 11 servers, 7 domain controlers,
about 250 workstations. Over the time, Windows XP pro has been
reinstalled on the older (2-3 years old computers) Dell Optiplex
workstations. All workstations are under a OU, but there is no
restriction concerning software installations in the GPO.

So, when a computer is sent back to the network, it takes less than a
day before we get the "The Windows Installer Service could not be
accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or
if the windows installer is not correctly installed. Contact your
support personnel for assistance" message.

Interestingly, the problem occurs only on the older computers, when
Windows XP Pro is reinstalled. We've tried in details all known
solutions (from Microsoft, newsgroups, knowledge bases) to get this
problem fixed. Unfortunately, I must say we're out of luck.

However, WSUS is in service. Windows XP is in french (Canada) Do you
think it might be what is causing it?

I suspected a virus, but we've done a full scan with several tools,
including Viruscan, Microsoft tools, antispyware tools (enteprise
counterspy) Nothing has been detected.

Thanks for your help... if you can.

Sebastien Forbes

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

(Cross-posting to windows server update services)

Have you contacted MS tech support, and have they & you looked at your logs ?

WSUS questions should be posted to the newsgroup
microsoft.public.windows.server.update_services

As to your question on languages, cannot know. But I can suggest you set IE's language preference as French first, and English second.
In Internet Explorer> Tools, click Internet Options, and then click Languages.

You mention XP Pro is reinstalled. To what baseline /service pack /patch level ?