Windows Installer error messages

[Joco]

Hi,
When trying to install or remove programs, I receive an error message saying
that Windows Installer may not be correctly installed.
I have tried to install and run the Microsoft clean up utility, but this
does not run.
From suggestions on previous posts, I have tried to run KB942288-v2-x86 but
receive the following error message "The update does not apply to your system"
I am unable to restore my laptop, as all previous restore points have
somehow been removed, I only have one restore point created after the problem
arose.
I am reluctant to try any software that purports to clean the registry. My
OS is Vista Home Premium SP1.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Joco (London)

 

[Bob]

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer, it
is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon before the
problem began.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is
being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.

 

[Joco]

Bob thanks for your reply

I have deleted all the temp files including Java, and then run NoAdware V5,
Ccleaner V2.23.999 (leaving the registry alone), Norton 360 V3 non of which
have shown anything to be infected.

I have looked at the websites mentioned, and followed some of the procedures
suggested, but still the original problem persists. I have checked the
program files, and can find nothing suspicious.

Have you any further suggestions?

Thanks Joco (London)

 

[Bob]

Norton is likely causing your problem.
Replace Norton with the free AVG http://free.grisoft.com/ or Avast
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html, and Windows Firewall and Windows
Defender. Disabling Norton is not enough. You need to completely uninstall
it. If it doesn't solve the problem, get rid of Norton anyway. Norton is
known to cause many problems which don’t always appear immediately.
Download and run the Norton Removal Tool.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

It's called "360" because Symantec's goal is complete ownership of your
computer, and with even less communication about what it's trying to do or
ways to configure it than ever before (which would only interfere with its
goal.) That, along with Symantec's famous technical support, makes Norton
360 a disaster that I would only install on Granny's computer if she was
going to disinherit me.

 

[Joco]

Bob Hi, thanks for your reply

I have done the following

1) Removed Norton 360 with the Norton Removal Tool
2) Installed the free AVG software, the initial scan has been runing for
over 3 hours, and so far has only found cookies.
3) Activated Defender, then run a full system scan, result "No unwanted or
Harmful software detected" This scan took over 6 hours

The above actions have not resolved the original problem, I feel this
problen may be a corrupted registry and / or Windows installer files, but
have nothing to support this thought, other than installer does not work.

Have you any further suggestions for me to try

Thanks

Joco (London)

 

[Bob]

Run sfc /scannow.

Bob Hi, thanks for your reply

I have done the following

1) Removed Norton 360 with the Norton Removal Tool
2) Installed the free AVG software, the initial scan has been runing for
over 3 hours, and so far has only found cookies.
3) Activated Defender, then run a full system scan, result "No unwanted or
Harmful software detected" This scan took over 6 hours

The above actions have not resolved the original problem, I feel this
problen may be a corrupted registry and / or Windows installer files, but
have nothing to support this thought, other than installer does not work.

Have you any further suggestions for me to try

Thanks

Joco (London)

 

[Joco]

Bob Thanks

The following error message shows when running sfc /scannow.

" Windows cannot find 'sfc/' "

Thanks Joco (London)

 

[Dave-UK]

KB942288-v2-x86 is for 32 bit Vista, and the error message you received about
not applying to your system indicates you are running Vista 64 bit, not 32 bit.
Are you sure you are running 32 bit Vista ?

 

[Bob]

Did you run it from an Administrative Command Prompt?

 

[Joco]

Dave thanks for your message

I have just checked start>(right click) computer>properties and it shows a
32-bit Operating System

Joco (London)

 

[Joco]

Hi,

No I ran it from the normal window as an adminstator. I've now run it from
the Administrative Command Prompt, it completed 100% no message other than to
say it finished.

I rebooted and tried to install a program from the DVD drive, and received
the same error message as before

Thanks

Joco (London)

 

[Bob]

Windows Installer 4.5

http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en

 

[Joco]

Bob,

Which of these updates is the correct one, right at the start of this
problem I tried to run Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu and received an error
message saying it's not applicable to my system, I dont want to run the wrong
file and ruin your efforts

Thanks

Joco (London)

 

[Dave-UK]

Bob,

Which of these updates is the correct one, right at the start of this
problem I tried to run Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu and received an error
message saying it's not applicable to my system, I dont want to run the wrong
file and ruin your efforts

Thanks

Joco (London)

You said in your first post:

"From suggestions on previous posts, I have tried to run KB942288-v2-x86 but
receive the following error message "The update does not apply to your system"

Now you are saying you tried to run KB942288-v2-x64 and got the error message.

If you have a 32 bit system you want KB942288-v2-x86.
If you have a 64 bit system you want KB942288-v2-x64.

 

[Joco]

Dave thanks for your reply

As previously mentioned my system shows as 32-bit.

I have just downloaded KB942288-v2-x86, when trying to run this, the
following error message appears "The update does not apply to your System"

Both the x86 and x64 versions give the same error message as shown above

Joco (London)

 

[Jim]

Bob Thanks

The following error message shows when running sfc /scannow.

" Windows cannot find 'sfc/' "

should be sfc /

 

[Dave-UK]

Dave thanks for your reply

As previously mentioned my system shows as 32-bit.

I have just downloaded KB942288-v2-x86, when trying to run this, the
following error message appears "The update does not apply to your System"

Both the x86 and x64 versions give the same error message as shown above

Joco (London)

Then whatever that update does you don't need it.

You said you tried to run the Installer Cleanup Utility but it 'does not run'.
Is there any error message displayed when it doesn't run?

 

[Joco]

Jim thanks

I was trying to run the correct application, despite not showing correctly
sfc /
the problem was administration rights, and this application has run, but did
not solve the original problem with Windows Installer

Joco (London)

 

[Joco]

Dave thanks,

It's a while since I ran the installer Cleanup Utility, I will run it again
later, and give you any error message.

Joco (London)

 

[Joco]

Dave Thanks for your comments

Other OS software problems started to show, so I restored my laptop to the
factory default setting

Joco (London)