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Thread: Windows Installer Problem

  1. #1
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    Exclamation Windows Installer Problem

    I've been working on an XP machine for the last few days, clearing out viruses from "false" anti-virus software. I've gotten rid of a lot, but I have a big problem that's baffled me for days.

    Windows Installer 3.1

    I can't install it. At all. When I try to install anything, I get:

    "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."

    I've manually downloaded the MSI installer [v3.1 & 4], but when I install it, everything goies fine and it says "Completed installing....<Finish Button>" But nothing still won't install. Windows Installer doesn't even appear in the Add/Remove Programs list.

    I really need to install Kaspersky Internet Security 9.0 and access the Microsoft Update page, but I can't install it no matter what I try :/

    I've unregistered/re-registered 'msiexec', I've replaced 'MSI.dll', 'mexec.exe' & 'msihnd.dll' in C:\WINDOWS\system32, and I've ran a repair install of the operating system, but still no luck.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member gss03's Avatar
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    Re: Windows Installer Problem

    Wipe the machine and start again.

    Could you honestly ever trust a machine that has been compromised with one of these products.
    Quickest solution to these problems.

  3. #3
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
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    Re: Windows Installer Problem

    I agree.

    I know of a few poeple that will fight virus and other infections, maticulously downloading a veriety of tools to remove individual ones. Doing a complete re-install is usually quicker in my opinion, especially if you have SP3 slipstreamed into XP, or a Vista + SP1 disk.

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    Re: Windows Installer Problem

    The problem these days is that the writers of malware don't want to be discovered (at one time you would get some message telling you that you have been pwned or some thing), so they often attach their files to windows system files, so if you do remove them windows stops working.

    Like the others have said, the only way you will know if you have removed all of the nasties is to wipe the drive then reinstall.

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    Lightbulb Re: Windows Installer Problem

    It would be worth trying the Windows Installer 4.5 first, before resorting to a reformat
    Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder


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    Re: Windows Installer Problem

    Viruses/malware quite often attack vital system files if given the chance. Often just removing the viruses will not get your system back to the state it was before

    However a reformat should not be neccessary.

    Do you have your original xp cd? If so
    Try running
    sfc /scannow
    This automatically checks essential windows system files and replaces them if need be.

    If all else fails, do a windows reinstallation.

  7. #7
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    Re: Windows Installer Problem

    Thanks for the sugestions guys. I had tried WI 4.5, and also sfc/scannow..

    Everything is sorted now, backed up, reinstalled, re installed software, net back on and Kaspersky installed =]

    Cheers

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