Symptoms
Windows Installer will not work under Safe Mode, this means that programs cannot be installed or uninstalled in safe mode without giving a specific command using msiexec in command prompt.
Cause
.
Resolution
1. To make Windows Installer work under safe mode, you need to create a registry entry for every type of safe mode you are logged in to. Safe Mode.
2. Type this in a command prompt: REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer" /VE /T REG_SZ /F /D "Service" and then
3. net start msiserver This will start the Windows Installer Service.
This is in reference of
http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/windows-installer-safe-mode
Affected Products
Microsoft Windows 2008 Server R2