Windows Installer keeps crashing my laptop!

[CathrynH]

I had a trial version of Microsoft Office 2007. I can't get on with it and
most of my clients aren't on it so it isn't of much use to me. I decided to
uninstall it through the control panel. I obviously haven't managed to do
this properly as it still features in the list of programmes, although I
can't access any of the components.

Since then, the Windows Installer keeps popping up telling me it is
preparing to Install (it never specifies what it thinks it is going to do!).
It often appears if I try and do anything in Outlook, but also in other
Office applications. It causes the whole system to hang and eventually crash.

When I try and open a 2007 application, the installer pops up and the the
system comes up with an error message that says "Setup Error: The setup
controller has encountered a problem during install. Please review the log
files for more information on the error". I don't know where to find these
files so I can't give more information at this time.

I am sure the two events are linked. I have tried a system restore but this
didn't solve my problem and I have no idea what to try next short of a
complete rebuild. As I am self employed I would rather not have to be
without my laptop or have to move too much data to resolve this. Any
thoughts?

 

[Kayman]

I had a trial version of Microsoft Office 2007. I can't get on with it and
most of my clients aren't on it so it isn't of much use to me. I decided to
uninstall it through the control panel. I obviously haven't managed to do
this properly as it still features in the list of programmes, although I
can't access any of the components.

Since then, the Windows Installer keeps popping up telling me it is
preparing to Install (it never specifies what it thinks it is going to do!).
It often appears if I try and do anything in Outlook, but also in other
Office applications. It causes the whole system to hang and eventually crash.

When I try and open a 2007 application, the installer pops up and the the
system comes up with an error message that says "Setup Error: The setup
controller has encountered a problem during install. Please review the log
files for more information on the error". I don't know where to find these
files so I can't give more information at this time.

I am sure the two events are linked. I have tried a system restore but this
didn't solve my problem and I have no idea what to try next short of a
complete rebuild. As I am self employed I would rather not have to be
without my laptop or have to move too much data to resolve this. Any
thoughts?

How to uninstall the 2007 Office system if you cannot uninstall it by using
the "Add or Remove Programs" feature
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928218

 

[CathrynH]

How to uninstall the 2007 Office system if you cannot uninstall it by using
the "Add or Remove Programs" feature
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928218

 

[CathrynH]

thank you this. I have worked through the link you sent. When I go to
start/ run/ installer, I can see the office items which are 2007 but it won't
let me uninstall them. I have an error message:

"This patch package cannot be opened. Verify that the patch package exists
and that you can acces it, or contact the application vendor to verify that
it is a valid windows installer patch package"

Any thoughts? i am edging towards a rebuild!

 

[Kayman]

thank you this. I have worked through the link you sent. When I go to
start/ run/ installer, I can see the office items which are 2007 but it won't
let me uninstall them. I have an error message:

"This patch package cannot be opened. Verify that the patch package exists
and that you can acces it, or contact the application vendor to verify that
it is a valid windows installer patch package"

Any thoughts? i am edging towards a rebuild!

FileASSASSIN
http://www.malwarebytes.org/fileassassin.php