Windows Installer

[Miss_Sue]

From Windows XP Newsgroups....
1. Determine the location of the Msiexec.exe file on your hard disk. To do
this, follow these steps: a. Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\system32,
and then click OK.

Note This step will open the folder where the Msiexec.exe file is located.
b. Make a note of the location of the Msiexec.exe file. The location of the
Msiexec.exe file will be a combination of the value in the Address text box
and the Msiexec.exe file name itself.

For example if the Address text box contains a value of C:\Windows\system32,
the location of the Msiexec.exe file will be C:\Windows\system32\Msiexec.exe.
----
OK...I'm trying the following steps and got to the hidden files. There is I
can find C:\Windows\System32\msiexec; but there is not an entry for
....\msiexec.exe. Is it included in the ...\msiexec? Or have I lost this
file? Is there a way to restore it?

I have also tried to uninstall Office (system came with 2003 and a trial
period, but I have never used...I've been using my Office 2000). Windows
Installer will not allow me to uninstall either of these programs since
Installer cannot be found.

I have not dared mess with the registry keys since information shows it is
for the experienced user/professional. Not me!

Sue

 

[Homer S.]

From Windows XP Newsgroups....
1. Determine the location of the Msiexec.exe file on your hard disk. To do
this, follow these steps: a. Click Start, click Run, type %windir%\system32,
and then click OK.

Note This step will open the folder where the Msiexec.exe file is located.
b. Make a note of the location of the Msiexec.exe file. The location of the
Msiexec.exe file will be a combination of the value in the Address text box
and the Msiexec.exe file name itself.

For example if the Address text box contains a value of C:\Windows\system32,
the location of the Msiexec.exe file will be C:\Windows\system32\Msiexec.exe.
----
OK...I'm trying the following steps and got to the hidden files. There is I
can find C:\Windows\System32\msiexec; but there is not an entry for
...\msiexec.exe. Is it included in the ...\msiexec? Or have I lost this
file? Is there a way to restore it?


I have also tried to uninstall Office (system came with 2003 and a trial
period, but I have never used...I've been using my Office 2000). Windows
Installer will not allow me to uninstall either of these programs since
Installer cannot be found.

I have not dared mess with the registry keys since information shows it is
for the experienced user/professional. Not me!

Sue

You probably have Windows set to 'Hide extensions for known file types', so it will
only show the first part of the file name, 'msiexec', and not the '.exe' portion
(the extension). Go back and find the file (in C:\Windows\System32) and look at the
file TYPE column - is it listed as an application? Is the size 77KB? Right-click on
the file, click 'Properties' and then click the 'Version' tab. The 'File version'
should be listed as 3.1.4000.1823. If that's all correct, then you have the latest
version of the Windows installer.

BTW, if you want to uninstall Office 2003, you may need the original CD to do that.
Just insert it and follow the wizard for removal.

HJS

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Try installing the installer here:
Windows Installer 3.0 is available: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884016

 

[Miss_Sue]

Thanks Mark. I now know I have the latest version.

I've also tried either replacing or removing the file and Office 2000 by
inserting the disk. It acts like it loads, then just sets there like it
doesn't really access the cd. I've even gone to my E: drive and tried to
access the info from there. That didn't work either.

Any other suggestions? Since these are hidden files, I hate to mess with
them. Is it possible for me to delete the msiexec file from the System32
folder and then copy replace it with a file my sister sent in an e-mail
attachment? I messed with this for about 3 days now and tried everything
including running a virus check to see if I might have a virus.

Sue

 

[Homer S.]

Thanks Mark. I now know I have the latest version.

I've also tried either replacing or removing the file and Office 2000 by
inserting the disk. It acts like it loads, then just sets there like it
doesn't really access the cd. I've even gone to my E: drive and tried to
access the info from there. That didn't work either.

It won't start automatically if it has already been installed. You'll have to click
on the Setup file located on the CD - or click Start, Run, type X:Setup, where X is
the drive letter of your CD/DVD drive.

Homer

 

[Miss_Sue]

Homer, I did as you suggested (Start, Run, typed E:setup), but got the
Windows Installer message again. Nothing I have tried has gotten me any
closer to rectifying this problem. As bad as I hate to suggest it, do I just
to go back to the recovery disks?

Sue

 

[Homer S.]

Homer, I did as you suggested (Start, Run, typed E:setup), but got the
Windows Installer message again. Nothing I have tried has gotten me any
closer to rectifying this problem. As bad as I hate to suggest it, do I just
to go back to the recovery disks?

Sue

I think you may have been on the right track going to Micro$oft Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346. The only problem is that you started to try
Method One, but should've gone straight down to Method 2: 'Reinstall the Windows
Installer'. Follow the instructions then go here for the version 3.1 Installer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FC-5F56-4A38-B838-DE776FD4138C&displaylang=en.
Click on the Download button listed after 'WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe'
then Run it.



In addition:
Take a look at this: http://www.file.net/process/msiexec.exe.html.

I was thinking it might be a virus or some sort of malware. Try a full system virus
scan, but also scan for spyware, adware and Trojans. Try an online scan with
F-Secure: http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml. It not only scans for most
malware but cleans and removes what it finds. Try AdAware 2007 - it's free and can
be downloaded here: http://www.download.com/3000-8022_4-10766151.html. Do you have
Windows Defender installed? Get it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx. It'll keep
most bugs out of Internet Explorer.

Good Luck,
Homer