windows installer

How to Fix Windows Installer Errors

For Windows XP
      1. Click Start
      2. Click Run
      3. Enter the following command and then click OK.
msiexec /regserver

 

If the command above produces a path not found error, enter one of the following commands: 

        C:\Windows\system32\msiexec.exe /regserver

   4

Also, you can reinstall Windows INstaller . . .

If still not fixed, try

Start -> Run, type cmd and press [Return]. Now type the following, pressing [Return] between each line:

attrib -r -s -h
c:\windows\system32\dllcache
cd c:\windows\system32\
ren msi.dll msi.old
ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old
ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
exit
Now restart your PC and the Installer should be automatically reinstalled.

What is the exact error message from Windows Installer?

Hi I have tried this after typing > attrib -r -s -h >c:\windows\system32\dllcache I get the following ( not recognized as a internal or external command operable program or batch file.) I also get the following when I type > ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old ( cannot find file specified ) after re-starting the computer

windows installer is still not in the add/remove programs but remains in the services list with start up type as manual.

The problem is that when I use a program which uses windows installer i.e outlook or registry mechanic I get a popup telling me windows installer is preparing to install then I have to insert the

office xp pro disc to get access to outlook. 

So, you are saying that “Windows Installer” will not install since it is not appearing in Add/Remove Programs

 

Try this
http://www.windowsforum.com/showthread.php?t=2094292

Like many others, my windows installer suddenly won't install. I've tried to install the update 3.1 v2 from Microsoft but that won't install. So something's wrong with my current windows installer. I've tried all the suggestions in the forum (thanks) as I'd found them all on the Microsoft site. Still no joy. Although the msi exec.exe etc. files are in the computer and regedit says they're in the right place, the re-registering and re-installing methods can't find them. msiexec \regserver does however find the windows info 3.0 pane.

 

Any more ideas?

Sorry to take so long to reply, but I have been fixing my daughter`s laptop in Australia ( I`m in the UK.  It was NOT easy)

 

Here is how someone else solved this problem

 

http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43676

Many thanks dunedin.

It has very nearly worked on my Home edition of XP. The strange thing is

1. I now have a Windows Installer 3.1 file in the add/remove programmes pane

2. I have an msi(2).dll file in windows\system32 folder as well as the msi.dll windows 3.0 file

3. The msi.dll file in system32\dllcache folder is the former 3.0 windows installer file.

4. I've tried all methods and combinations of changing/deleting/renaming the existing msi.dll file to the recycle bin or to 'old', but still it either pops back in, or

5. When I finally manage to rename the msi(2).dll windows 3.1 file to msi.dll it changes back to the older 3.0 edition.

6. Also, even more wierd is the msi.dll 3.0 file sometimes changes to 3.1 file in the recycle bin and vice versa when I try to transfer or restore a 3.1 file from the  bin to the system32 folder.

I seem so close but not quite there. I'm sure it can be solved if I can use/change/rename the msi(2).dll file into an msi.dll one.

It's beginning to look like a clean installation 

That is indeed weird :smileysurprised:

 

Have you tried re-registering the "new" dlls?

 

Have you tried to install something to see if the installer is working now?

 

If it works, I`d just leave things as they are and see how it goes.

Have you been working through the night/ :smileyhappy: many thanks again.

I've tried installing again (still get 'data is invalid') as well as countless Windows Update files....except Windows Installer!! I'll try re-registering later. Microsoft have at last answered my support submission so I'll be contacting them later too. Dell are ringing on Tuesday to help me with a clean installation. Hey ho!