Windows Installer issues - will not install or uninstall anything

[Kern]

Windows Installer is hanging on install/uninstall of anything using
its function. Even trying to install Windows Installer Cleanup hangs up.
I have already run RegistryFix and it had no effect.
I checked to make sure the Windows Installer service is running and it
is.
However any software that uses InstallShield or Wise installer goes in
without problem.

I also looked at Event Viewer hoping to find something but nothing
there looked like usable information concerning why Windows Installer
is hanging up.

Configuration info - Dell C521 with 1GB RAM, 80GB SATA hard drive
running Vista Home Premium and all relevant updates are installed.

It seems to me like another Windows Installer 4 problem but if anyone
has any ideas about alternate possibilities I'm all ears. (And that's
a pretty weird visual). Also if it is a Windows Installer problem, how
do I check for Windows Installer being all there and how to fix it if
it's not.

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Searched the Knowledge base and nothing was present for repairing
Windows Installer in Vista. Then I found:

What is Windows Installer?
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/f4fd5355-d9f8-47c4-b737-bcd47e8c2bc71033.mspx

In earlier versions of Windows, it might have been necessary to re-register the Windows
Installer files in the registry if those files became damaged or corrupt. In this version of
Windows, damaged system files needed by Windows Installer can be repaired automatically.

If Windows Installer does not work correctly, open Problem Reports and Solutions to see if a
solution is available.

• Open Problem Reports and Solutions by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel,
clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Problem Reports and Solutions.

Wow. An OS that repairs itself automatically. I'll be curious to see how
you make out here, Kern.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

[Kern]

Well I don't know what Microsoft calls "Automatic Repair" but I finally
had to do a System Restore to get the Installer running again.
I would be interested in learning how this "Automatic Repair" works.
System File Checker found corrupt files but was unable to do repairs
and left a 43MB log of its activity. It then left a message to look at
the log to find out what the problems were. However attempts to look
at the log delivered error messages saying I didn't have permission
even though I was on as an administrator. Also what do you use to look
at a 43MB text file?

Anyway you said you would be interested in learning how this turned
out so there it is.

Searched the Knowledge base and nothing was present for repairing
Windows Installer in Vista. Then I found:

What is Windows Installer?
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/f4fd5355-d9f8-47c4-
b737-bcd47e8c2bc71033.mspx

In earlier versions of Windows, it might have been necessary to
re-register the Windows Installer files in the registry if those
files became damaged or corrupt. In this version of Windows, damaged
system files needed by Windows Installer can be repaired
automatically.

If Windows Installer does not work correctly, open Problem Reports
and Solutions to see if a solution is available.

• Open Problem Reports and Solutions by clicking the Start button,
clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then
clicking Problem Reports and Solutions.

Wow. An OS that repairs itself automatically. I'll be curious to see
how you make out here, Kern.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

Windows Installer is hanging on install/uninstall of anything using
its function. Even trying to install Windows Installer Cleanup hangs
up. I have already run RegistryFix and it had no effect.
I checked to make sure the Windows Installer service is running and
it
is.
However any software that uses InstallShield or Wise installer goes
in without problem.

I also looked at Event Viewer hoping to find something but nothing
there looked like usable information concerning why Windows
Installer is hanging up.

Configuration info - Dell C521 with 1GB RAM, 80GB SATA hard drive
running Vista Home Premium and all relevant updates are installed.

It seems to me like another Windows Installer 4 problem but if
anyone
has any ideas about alternate possibilities I'm all ears. (And
that's a pretty weird visual). Also if it is a Windows Installer
problem, how do I check for Windows Installer being all there and
how to fix it if it's not.