Windows installer question

[Guest]

I am (and have been) trying to install software. I am receiving an error
message that indicates that Windows Installer Service cannot be started.

It was working fine until yesterday, and then it just stopped working.

I am running XP home, reinstalled SP2.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[John Barnett MVP]

If it was working yesterday you could try a system restore. if a restore
point isn't available for 'yesterday' take it back to the nearest date.
If that doesn't work then try re-installing the windows installer. For
details visit my website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Click the Win XP
Faq button and take a look at question 66


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..

 

[Guest]

John,

Thanks for the response. System restore didn't work. I did everything on
Item 66 on your website. Still the same problem. Is there a way (other than
in Control Panel, Add/Remove where it doesn't show up as installed) to remove
Installer and then download either 3.0 or 3.1 and install it. I tried that
too, but it aborted because it said that I had a newer version of Installer.

Thanks again

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Just out of curiosity go to Control panel and click the Administrative Tools
icon. In the admin tools window click the Services icon. Scroll down the
services until you come to Windows Installer. check to see if the startup
type is set to Manual. If it isn't right click on Windows Install and select
properties. In the properties window change the startup type to manual.

What type of XP CD do you have a full retail version, upgrade or did you pc
come with recovery disks?


--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..

 

[Guest]

John,

The Installer is set to automatic and is started. My pc came with a
recovery cd. Nothing else. I do have a copy of XP Pro full install, but not
home edition, which is what this computer is running.

David

 

[John Barnett MVP]

David,



First set the installer to manual and then try installing an application you
have had problems with to see if it works. If it doesn't you may like to try
to unregister and then re-register the windows installer. To do this proceed
as follows:

1/Click the Start button and then click Run

2/ In the Run dialogue box type MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER then click OK

3/ You may not see anything physically happen but the uninstaller will have
been un-registered.

4/ Now click the start button again and then click Run

5/ This time, in the Run dialogue box, type: MSIEXEC /REGSERVER and then
click OK

6/ Once again you may not physically see anything happen

7/ Now try installing the application you have been having problems
installing.

If this doesn't work take a look at the following link to see if this helps.
Just remember with the details on this link you may be editing the registry
so you will need to back it up (best options is the freeware ERUNT - see my
website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org click the Life savers button and
look for ERUNT

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324516

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..