What's "Installing"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Cranium
  • Start date Start date
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Richard Cranium

Said "yes" to a printer update, but was greeted with a message saying
that something else was installing and I have to let it finish before
I could complete the printer update. As far as I know, I have nothing
installing (or nothing should be installing). Any ideas how I can
determine the source of this problem. Note: It's happened a few times
over the past week (with a few reboots included) with this printer
update, so it sure looks like there's a phantom installing. Thanks.
 
Said "yes" to a printer update, but was greeted with a message saying
that something else was installing and I have to let it finish before
I could complete the printer update.  As far as I know, I have nothing
installing (or nothing should be installing).  Any ideas how I can
determine the source of this problem.  Note: It's happened a few times
over the past week (with a few reboots included) with this printer
update, so it sure looks like there's a phantom installing.  Thanks.
Click to expand...

That is not what the error message really says, is it?

I would guess that something was trying to install and left the
Windows installer (msiexec.exe) running, or it is running for some
unknown reason when there is no install happening.

Check in Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and see if there is a process
called msiexec running. If there is and you are not installing
anything at the moment, terminate the msiexec process.

I would reboot and check TM again before installing to make sure it is
not there. If msiexec is running for no particular reason after a
reboot, you have some other problem, so let us know.

Try your installation again when you are sure msiexec is not running
making sure your installation makes a graceful exit. Check TM again
to be sure it goes away. Check TM during the installation if you want
and you should see it.

As long as there is only one copy of msiexec running and you are doing
one install at a time you should not see this message.

Please report back.

Jose
 
Hi,

Cannot Run Two Device Installations:

You can install only one device at a time
Another device installation is underway, when it is finished you can try
this wizard again.

Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Setup

If there is a key or value named: FactoryPreInstallInProgress
Right click and delete it.

Do the same here: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Factory

Reboot.
--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm


Said "yes" to a printer update, but was greeted with a message saying
that something else was installing and I have to let it finish before
I could complete the printer update. As far as I know, I have nothing
installing (or nothing should be installing). Any ideas how I can
determine the source of this problem. Note: It's happened a few times
over the past week (with a few reboots included) with this printer
update, so it sure looks like there's a phantom installing. Thanks.
Click to expand...

That is not what the error message really says, is it?

I would guess that something was trying to install and left the
Windows installer (msiexec.exe) running, or it is running for some
unknown reason when there is no install happening.

Check in Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and see if there is a process
called msiexec running. If there is and you are not installing
anything at the moment, terminate the msiexec process.

I would reboot and check TM again before installing to make sure it is
not there. If msiexec is running for no particular reason after a
reboot, you have some other problem, so let us know.

Try your installation again when you are sure msiexec is not running
making sure your installation makes a graceful exit. Check TM again
to be sure it goes away. Check TM during the installation if you want
and you should see it.

As long as there is only one copy of msiexec running and you are doing
one install at a time you should not see this message.

Please report back.

Jose
 
That is not what the error message really says, is it?

I would guess that something was trying to install and left the
Windows installer (msiexec.exe) running, or it is running for some
unknown reason when there is no install happening.

Check in Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL) and see if there is a process
called msiexec running. If there is and you are not installing
anything at the moment, terminate the msiexec process.

I would reboot and check TM again before installing to make sure it is
not there. If msiexec is running for no particular reason after a
reboot, you have some other problem, so let us know.

Try your installation again when you are sure msiexec is not running
making sure your installation makes a graceful exit. Check TM again
to be sure it goes away. Check TM during the installation if you want
and you should see it.

As long as there is only one copy of msiexec running and you are doing
one install at a time you should not see this message.

Please report back.

Jose
Click to expand...


OK. There certainly seems to be something trying to install. I first
looked at TM and saw multiple copies of msiexec running. I ended the
processes, but they came back right away. Then I rebooted. Following
is detail of what transpired:

On reboot, an information box came up titled, "Windows Installer' with
the text "Preparing to install". This box soon disappeared and was
replaced by one titled "TrayApp".

The TrayApp box showed it beginning to install and then hanging about
1/3 complete.

After a while a new message box appeared stating the following:
"Service hoqcxs08 could not be stopped. Verify that you have
sufficient privileges to stop system services". Options presented
were "Retry" or "Cancel". I hit "Retry" and after a while the same
message returned.

I then looked at TM and saw one instance of msiexec running. Under
Applications, I saw TrayApp.

I then pressed "Cancel" - was asked if I was sure I wanted to cancel -
I said yes. By this time the TrayApp install bar was about 95%
complete, but it never did reach 100% after at least 5 minutes had
passed. The info box just remained on screen.

I went back to TM and hit the End Task for TrayApp (which was shown
as a running application) and it disappeared with everything then
appearing normal.

I then tried to install the printer update and it failed again.
Looking at TM showed msiexec coming back repeatedly each time I tried
to end it. I also noticed that there were always two instances of
msiexec coming up.

This all seemed to arise when I installed a third printer - an HP AIO
- to enable fax capability. Maybe it's associated with this issue.
Any ideas appreciated. TIA.
 
OK.  There certainly seems to be something trying to install.  I first
looked at TM and saw multiple copies of msiexec running.  I ended the
processes, but they came back right away.  Then I rebooted.  Following
is detail of what transpired:

On reboot, an information box came up titled, "Windows Installer' with
the text "Preparing to install".  This box soon disappeared and was
replaced by one titled "TrayApp".  

The TrayApp box showed it beginning to install and then hanging about
1/3 complete.

 After a while a new message box appeared stating the following:
"Service hoqcxs08 could not be stopped. Verify that you have
sufficient privileges to stop system services".  Options presented
were "Retry" or "Cancel".  I hit "Retry" and after a while the same
message returned.

I then looked at TM and saw one instance of msiexec running.  Under
Applications, I saw TrayApp.

I then pressed "Cancel" - was asked if I was sure I wanted to cancel -
I said yes.  By this time the TrayApp install bar was about 95%
complete, but it never did reach 100% after at least 5 minutes had
passed.  The info box just remained on screen.

I went back to TM and hit the End Task for TrayApp  (which was shown
as a running application) and it disappeared with everything then
appearing normal.

I then tried to install the printer update and it failed again.
Looking at TM showed msiexec coming back repeatedly each time I tried
to end it.  I also noticed that there were always two instances of
msiexec coming up.

This all seemed to arise when I installed a third printer - an HP AIO
- to enable fax capability.  Maybe it's associated with this issue.
Any ideas appreciated.  TIA.
Click to expand...

Okay (plan B) - go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services.

Find the Windows Installer service. What is the status and Startup
Type?

Status should be empty and Startup Type should be Manual.

Whatever it is, set the Properties Startup type to disabled. Exit
appropriately.

Reboot.

Is msiexec now running in TM? If it is, there is another problem.

If not, set the service back to Manual. Check TM again for msiexec.

Try the install. We may need to do this again to be sure msiexec is
never running for some unknown reason until you want it to during the
install. Then it should go away.

You may also try totally deleting the printer and starting over with a
reboot and TM check. If you downloaded something, whack it and
download again.

If the install is fouling things up by letting multiple misiexecs run
- you could try the same sort of thing in Safe Mode or start looking
at the sometimes helpful HP forum on their site (but I am not giving
up yet).

Jose
 
Okay (plan B) - go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services.

Find the Windows Installer service. What is the status and Startup
Type?

Status should be empty and Startup Type should be Manual.

Whatever it is, set the Properties Startup type to disabled. Exit
appropriately.

Reboot.

Is msiexec now running in TM? If it is, there is another problem.

If not, set the service back to Manual. Check TM again for msiexec.

Try the install. We may need to do this again to be sure msiexec is
never running for some unknown reason until you want it to during the
install. Then it should go away.

You may also try totally deleting the printer and starting over with a
reboot and TM check. If you downloaded something, whack it and
download again.

If the install is fouling things up by letting multiple misiexecs run
- you could try the same sort of thing in Safe Mode or start looking
at the sometimes helpful HP forum on their site (but I am not giving
up yet).

Jose
Click to expand...

Glad you didn't give up. Your suggestion worked and the printer
update installed just fine. However, I then rechecked the Properties
Startup Type on Windows Installer and it's showing "Started" once
again. I rebooted leaving it that way and there were no instances of
msiexec, so all seems well, the birds are singing and life is good
again. Thanks.
 
Glad you didn't give up.  Your suggestion worked and the printer
update installed just fine.  However, I then rechecked the Properties
Startup Type on Windows Installer and it's showing "Started" once
again.  I rebooted leaving it that way and there were no instances of
msiexec, so all seems well, the birds are singing and life is good
again.  Thanks.
Click to expand...

Good job. But you still have a problem!

If you boot in Safe Mode is Windows Installer still started (when it
shouldn't be)? Just curious...

Reboot normally after checking Safe Mode.

Get to a command prompt and run:

msiexec /? - the version should 3.something if you are up to date on
SPs.

Stop the Windows Installer service if it is running. Check the other
tabs (like Recovery) to be sure it is not set to restart automatically
or anything like that. Take No Action is the correct answer. It
should only "depend" on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.
Don't change anything here yet - just check.

Sometimes a cluttered TEMP folder(s) can be to blame so consider
emptying them at this time.

You can try to unregsiter and reregister the misbehaving Windows
Installer:

Get to a command prompt.

Run: msiexec /unregister and then wait. If you get on OK box,
acknowledge it. You probably won't.
Run: msiexec /regserver and then wait some more and click OK if
offered.,

Exit the command box.

Restore the original Windows Installer service settings to Manual.

Reboot and check the service again.

Please report back.

Jose
 
Good job. But you still have a problem!

If you boot in Safe Mode is Windows Installer still started (when it
shouldn't be)? Just curious...

Reboot normally after checking Safe Mode.

Get to a command prompt and run:

msiexec /? - the version should 3.something if you are up to date on
SPs.

Stop the Windows Installer service if it is running. Check the other
tabs (like Recovery) to be sure it is not set to restart automatically
or anything like that. Take No Action is the correct answer. It
should only "depend" on the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service.
Don't change anything here yet - just check.

Sometimes a cluttered TEMP folder(s) can be to blame so consider
emptying them at this time.

You can try to unregsiter and reregister the misbehaving Windows
Installer:

Get to a command prompt.

Run: msiexec /unregister and then wait. If you get on OK box,
acknowledge it. You probably won't.
Run: msiexec /regserver and then wait some more and click OK if
offered.,

Exit the command box.

Restore the original Windows Installer service settings to Manual.

Reboot and check the service again.

Please report back.

Jose
Click to expand...


I had a thought (I know that's dangerous) about the Properties Status
showing as "Started". At the time I rebooted, I may have checked the
status before the Yahoo Messenger had fully loaded (it takes some time
to come up on my PC after a reboot). I only use it to chat with my
youngest daughter in another town, so I normally don't pay much
attention to it and usually render it dormant after it loads - her
messages to me activate it. Sure enough, I now check TM and there are
no msiexec's running and the Properties Status field is now blank -
Startup Type is Manual. I also checked the msiexec version and it's
V3.01.4001.5512. Hence, it appears that the problem (of Status =
"Started") may have been an anomaly; it's no longer the case.
 
I had a thought (I know that's dangerous) about the Properties Status
showing as "Started".  At the time I rebooted, I may have checked the
status before the Yahoo Messenger had fully loaded (it takes some time
to come up on my PC after a reboot).  I only use it to chat with my
youngest daughter in another town, so I normally don't pay much
attention to it and usually render it dormant after it loads - her
messages to me activate it.  Sure enough, I now check TM and there are
no msiexec's running and the Properties Status field is now blank -
Startup Type is Manual.  I also checked the msiexec version and it's
V3.01.4001.5512.  Hence, it appears that the problem (of Status =
"Started") may have been an anomaly; it's no longer the case.
Click to expand...

Mmmm... Okay. We don't have the same environment.

At least you know what to look for if there is a next time!

Jose
 
Mmmm... Okay. We don't have the same environment.

At least you know what to look for if there is a next time!

Jose
Click to expand...


I should have mentioned that I am using a fairly old (P4) system, but
it's served me quite well for many years via HDD and RAM additions.
I'll probably be replacing it at the end of the year primarily to get
a media server type of system. I have an immobile family member so
Netflix and all of the movie channels are subscribed to and used heavy
duty.

Bottom line is that your suggestions/guidance worked out very well.
Thanks, I appreciate your assistance.
 
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