Windows Installer errors

[BobS]

Hi,

I thought I had a Symantec problem when I was trying to uninstall a previous
version of systemworks to upgrade to a newer version, but it seems the
problem is related to Windows.
I am using XP Pro, SP2 fully updated to the current updates.

What happens is that I get this error displayed: "The Windows installer
service could not be accessed". (from either being in safe mode, or
incorrectly installed). The error does not come up with an error number.

I tried installing and/uninstalling other software on my PC, and the same
error comes up if the install/uninstall requires the windows installer
service.

I checked the current version of msi.dll and it is 3.14000.2435, which is
the latest version as far as I can research

I just searched and found this article, which I will try later when I get
back home. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346 I
hope it gets me back into being able to install or uninstall software again.

Any other ideas on this?

Thanks,

Bob

..

 

[S.Sengupta]

Along with the KB Article which you have mentioned in your post,the
followings are useful:-

Error Message When You Try to Install a Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330176


How to Troubleshoot Windows Installer Engine Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;260404


Windows Installer Fix (Line 94)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm


Troubleshooting Windows Installer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm#xp_wininstaller

Resolving problems with the Windows installer:-
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Installation

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

 

[BobS]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply S.Sengupta,

I have tried almost everything I had, and you supplied except kellys-korner
DirectX thing. The first two links you supplied are no longer valid, by the
way.

Each time I tried the suggestions, I was sure it would be fixed, but sadly
it was not. I have many complete backups I can try restoring one at a time
to try to get back to the point I had no problem, but hopefully they go back
far enough! I have to complete and print out my tax returns before I
completely trash my PC, though. So far my backups have been very ass-saving,
but I need to get my tax returns finished in time to keep the IRS happy.
Being that I owe money, I have not been in a hurry to finish up.
If and when I get the installer program working again, I will post what
worked for me on this group.

Thanks again,

Bob

Along with the KB Article which you have mentioned in your post,the
followings are useful:-

Error Message When You Try to Install a Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330176


How to Troubleshoot Windows Installer Engine Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;260404


Windows Installer Fix (Line 94)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm


Troubleshooting Windows Installer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm#xp_wininstaller

Resolving problems with the Windows installer:-
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Installation

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

Hi,

I thought I had a Symantec problem when I was trying to uninstall a
previous
version of systemworks to upgrade to a newer version, but it seems the
problem is related to Windows.
I am using XP Pro, SP2 fully updated to the current updates.

What happens is that I get this error displayed: "The Windows installer
service could not be accessed". (from either being in safe mode, or
incorrectly installed). The error does not come up with an error number.

I tried installing and/uninstalling other software on my PC, and the same
error comes up if the install/uninstall requires the windows installer
service.

I checked the current version of msi.dll and it is 3.14000.2435, which is
the latest version as far as I can research

I just searched and found this article, which I will try later when I get
back home. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346
I
hope it gets me back into being able to install or uninstall software
again.

Any other ideas on this?

Thanks,

Bob

.

 

[BobS]

SOLVED!

Ok, each time I tried installing or uninstalling a new program and saw the
Windows installer error, I shut down my firewall, ZoneAlarm Pro thinking it
was responsible, but it made no difference. I had a "brainstorm" before I
left home this morning and thought maybe Zonealarm not only directly
protects the system, but maybe it writes entries into the registry that
remain even if ZoneAlarm is not running. I did not look through the
registry, as it would be too much for me to understand what I was actually
looking for.

SO, with Zonealarm running, I opened up its program control window and saw
so many entries that were unfamiliar to me, I just "removed" all of them
from ZoneAlarm, so it would have be annoying me all over again which
programs to allow to run or not.

After doing just that, I was able to uninstall my old Symantec programs with
no problems or errors. I just have to keep deciding now to allow or block
programs in ZoneAlarms pop up box each time for a while now.

Thanks Again,

Bob

Hi,

Thank you for your reply S.Sengupta,

I have tried almost everything I had, and you supplied except kellys-korner
DirectX thing. The first two links you supplied are no longer valid, by the
way.

Each time I tried the suggestions, I was sure it would be fixed, but sadly
it was not. I have many complete backups I can try restoring one at a time
to try to get back to the point I had no problem, but hopefully they go back
far enough! I have to complete and print out my tax returns before I
completely trash my PC, though. So far my backups have been very ass-saving,
but I need to get my tax returns finished in time to keep the IRS happy.
Being that I owe money, I have not been in a hurry to finish up.
If and when I get the installer program working again, I will post what
worked for me on this group.

Thanks again,

Bob

Along with the KB Article which you have mentioned in your post,the
followings are useful:-

Error Message When You Try to Install a Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330176


How to Troubleshoot Windows Installer Engine Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;260404


Windows Installer Fix (Line 94)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm


Troubleshooting Windows Installer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm#xp_wininstaller

Resolving problems with the Windows installer:-
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Installation

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

Hi,

I thought I had a Symantec problem when I was trying to uninstall a
previous
version of systemworks to upgrade to a newer version, but it seems the
problem is related to Windows.
I am using XP Pro, SP2 fully updated to the current updates.

What happens is that I get this error displayed: "The Windows installer
service could not be accessed". (from either being in safe mode, or
incorrectly installed). The error does not come up with an error number.

I tried installing and/uninstalling other software on my PC, and the same
error comes up if the install/uninstall requires the windows installer
service.

I checked the current version of msi.dll and it is 3.14000.2435, which is
the latest version as far as I can research

I just searched and found this article, which I will try later when I get
back home. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346
I
hope it gets me back into being able to install or uninstall software
again.

Any other ideas on this?

Thanks,

Bob

.