Windows Installer not Correctly Installed/MSIEXEC.EXE was missing...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff N.
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeff N.

Trying to install programs on an XP home machine results in a warning that
Windows Installer could not be accessed for it was not correctly installed.
I looked and didn't even see the msiexec.exe in the system32 folder, so I
tried just dragging on out of one of the $NTUninstall$ folder I saw it in.
I tried to msiexec.exe /unregserver and then msiexec.exe /regserver to no
avail. Tried to expand one to no avail for it only wants to expand .cab
files if I browse to it. It's on OEM of XP Home with no install CD's. I
tried a sfc /scannow but it wants the XP Home SP1 CD. I thought I saw here
previously about redirecting that to the i386 folder, but can't find it now.
I also tried the reg fix on kelly's page to no avail. Can find a
downloadable file to reinstall this for every OS but XP. Just says contact
Microsoft...blah blah. I'm dead set against reinstalling, but will if I
must. Thanks.
 
Thanks Kelly, I have to take this machine down to test those out, but will
post back.
 
Hi Kelly, No luck on either. The Cleanup Utility consists of an .msi which
returns the same error that Windows Installer service could not be accessed
or not installed properly. If I try and run it again, msiexec.exe process
runs out of control pushing VM past 1.2 gigs til I kill it. I noticed then
there were 2 msiexec.exe processes running. One for System and one for
User. Not sure if that's normal. If I right click the .msi file to
Install, there is currently nothing associated with it. I suppose I can try
and associate it with Windows Installer if it's even in the list.

I also spent quite a bit of time trying to get sfc to run without CD with no
luck. Copied the i386 from my Pro CD to root then changed the path in a
couple reg entries, but I don't even think it tries to look on the hard
drive.

There has got to be a way to resolve this, but I've spent hours searching
and coming up dry or nothing works. Maybe reinstall an update if I knew
which one.

I am avidly against reinstalling for I think most problems can be fixed, but
running out of time and patience.
 
Hi Jeff,

Check to see that the Service is set to Automatic:

Start/Run: services.msc
Double click Windows Installer
Startup Type: Automatic
 
Hi Kelly, I tried that previously with no luck either. The machine kept
getting goofier by the minute like now launching Search would trigger the
runaway msiexec.exe. So I finally figured out how to in place reinstall
this OEM machine by tossing in a few files it complained about while
launching winnt32.exe. I have yet to see if the Windows® Installer
functions properly yet. There has just got to be an easier way to reinstall
that on XP. Thanks.
 
It's been a real pill of a machine that's for sure. It seems to install
fine now. However the Office 2000 CD2 prompt is reappearing when launching
various apps. I thought I previously applied a tweak for that from your
site, so applied it again and we'll see. Not sure if that Msi cleanup
utility will help with that or not? It did help me remove some McAfee
entries. Explorer still likes to crash at random times whining of ntdll.dll
while machine is barely stressed if any. I will have to look into that as
well. Just thought I'd fill you in as you might be curious. Happy
computing... :)
 
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, I do have a workaround for that, but make sure to modify
the folder number as it points to 10.
 
Ok thanks, I didn't bother to look at those. I see one points to 9.0 and
the other 10.0. I'll have to get back on her system to see what it's
suppose to point to as I am not familiar with Office at all.
 
Hi Kelly, I thought I might be able to make some sense out of that, but I
don't. What folder should it point to? I know the request is looking for
data1.msi, but I don't see that anywhere and the nifty microsoft search
won't find it either. I click search and sa.windows.com wants access to the
net and then follows the request for Office 2000 CD. Her ex husband took
the CD's with him, but I can probably get them if that will shut the thing
up permanently. I did try search from another user profile and it didn't
occur. I will test the others out. I created a hidden profile for myself
since they are always breaking the machine, but if it only occours on mine,
I won't worry 'bout it. Thanks for you help Kelly.
 
Thanks for the info Kelly! What has been driving me crazy is how to find
out what your fixies are suppose to do. Where is the info on what the reg
fixes do.?
 
They do what they say they do. :o) Each can be read in Notepad. The one
mentioned earlier on, replaces a missing value. The second one, changes
Search to Classic, the third - stems from the Assistant not being installed
during the initial load of Office.

Without you knowing more about the registry, there really isn't much I can
add without confusing you more. I try to keep the titles short, sweet and
simple.

Hope this helps.
 
I examined them in notepad and you made note that one was pointing to 10.0.
What else could it point to?
 

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