Windows Installer cannot install any msi

[Guest]

I have uninstalled a software on my office computer last week and since then
it is impossible to install any MSI package. As soon as I click the icon I
get the message: “This installation package could not be opened. Verify that
the package …â€. Uninstalling software does the same thing.
I searched on internet. In 99% of the cases, this message appeared at the
installation of specific packages and there was a workaround to solve the
problem or the package had been corrupted during download or something like
that. But cases like mine were rare and the few forums where the subject was
discussed ended with no conclusion.
As suggested I reinstalled Windows Installer 3.1 (3 times), I tried
msicuu.exe. I bought a registry cleaner that found 1327 errors and fixed
them. The problem is still there.
As the problem occurs with any msi package, this cannot be a file corruption.
Is there any one with a solution to that problem or at least a suggestion?

OS: Windows XP SP2, up to date

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

Did you try a System Restore ? That may resolve the issue and also
undo the changes made by the Registry Cleaner. Not intending to
restart the long-running debate, Registry Cleaning is NOT a perfected
science. You have about a 10% chance of "Damaging" your XP setup
by running & removing what a cleaner determines as invalid Keys and
values. *This comment will likely generate a number of "Registry Cleaning
is Good/OK,I use it and have no issues. That may be true but I'll stand
by my 10% estimate/chance of breaking your Windows XP running an
automated Registry Cleaner.
Best to use personal decision making on what Keys & Values to remove
and do it manually and export or backup the Registry first.

You have to be careful with cleanup of any kind. It's fairly easy to
break/damage installations by removing certain content in the \Windows
folder tree.

 

[JS]

List of Error Codes:
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21245282

How to re-install Windows Installer:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_reinstall_the_windows_i.htm

Also:
Common Windows Installer Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555175

Also a long shot but try the Error 1704 fix available free at this site:
(sometime fixes problems even if you do not get a 1704 error)
http://www.chrismillard.com/software.php
It located near the bottom of the page

JS

 

[Guest]

Thanks JS. But nothing of this worked. Installer log file returnd a
"meaningfull" 1603: Fatal error during installation.
If you have other ideas, your welcome.

 

[Guest]

Thanks R. McCarty,
But I tried 4 dates to return to but the system could not be restored.
If you have another idea please let me know.

 

[JS]

Error 1603: Fatal Error During Installation
http://consumer.installshield.com/kb.asp?id=Q111019

Also: http://www.appdeploy.com/msierrors/detail.asp?id=11
And: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/834484

Some of the above you may have already read or tried but just a thought.

JS