Windows Installer trouble

[fikrilazam]

Hi..

I'm a newbie here and I'm stuck with this problem...

I can't install any software utilizing the Windows Installer service.

A dialog box came out like this

"The Windows Installer service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode or, if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed."

I'm running Windows XP SP2 with all the current updates from Windows Update.

Well, I'm sure not running in safe mode, so it must be the Windows Installer problem...

I've tried downloading the Windows Installer Redistributable installer from Microsoft.com, but I cant install it too. Obviously the Windows Installer on my PC is newer than that on Microsoft.com...

I'm stuck... please if any suggestions or solutions... I really dont want to have to re-install Windows...

Thanks..

[Chris]

Read this carefully and see if you can follow it to perform the RESOLUTIONS given: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319624

[scuzzman]

1. Verify the location of the Msiexec.exe file on your hard disk. To do so:

  a.  Click Start, and then click Search.

  b.  Click All files and folders.

  c.  In the File name box, type msiexec.exe, and then click Search.

  d.  In the search results, make a note of the location of the Msiexec.exe file.

The location of the Msiexec.exe file should be similar to the following example, where Drive is the drive where Windows is installed, and %Windir% is the folder where Windows is installed:

Drive:\%Windir%\System32

An example of this is C:\Windows\System32.

Note In Microsoft Windows 98-based computers, the Msiexec.exe file is located in the Drive:\%Windir%\System folder.

  e.  On the File menu, click Close.

2. Verify the location of the Msiexec.exe file in the Windows Registry. To do so:

  a.  Click Start, and then click Run.

  b.  In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

  c.  Locate, and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer

  d.  In the right pane, double-click ImagePath.

  e.  In the Edit String dialog box, make sure that the string in the Value data box contains the correct path of the Msiexec.exe file on your hard disk that you determined earlier in step 1.

For example, if the Msiexec.exe file is located in the Drive:\Windows\System32 folder on your hard disk, the correct path of the Msiexec.exe file in the Value data box is the following path, where Drive is the drive where Windows is installed:

Drive:\Windows\System32\Msiexec.exe /V

Note If you are using Windows 98, the correct path of the Msiexec.exe file is Drive:\Windows\System\Msiexec.exe /V.

If the Value data box does not contain the correct path, make the appropriate changes to correct the path, and then click OK.

f.  Quit Registry Editor.

3. Start your computer in safe mode, and then register the Msiexec.exe file. To do so:

  a.  Shut down, and then restart your computer.

  b.  Press F8 after you receive the following message:

Please select the operating system to start

  c.  On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.

  d.  If you use a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the appropriate operating system from the list that is displayed, and then press ENTER.

  e.  Log on to the computer.

  f.  Click Start, and then click Run.

  g.  In the Open box, type the following line, and then click OK:

msiexec /regserver

4. Shut down, and then restart your computer in standard mode.

This was taken from this article of the Microsoft Knowledge Base. There are further remedies if this doesn't work.

Also: repost if you have difficulty following these instructions, so we can guide you.

[fikrilazam]

Thanks guys...

I re-registered Windows Installer and it worked...

Now i can install stuff again... :D

[scuzzman]

Good Job :)