Corrupted Windows Installer..help

[Partial]

I was servicing a machine and found myself unable to uninstall or install any programs requiring the Windows Installer. I got error 1719, the installer service could not be accessed. Microsoft has a post on it here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315346

The installer is the latest version, so I figured that its corrupted somehow. I tried to reregister the Installer with no luck. I followed the instructions to reinstall the Installer...rename msiexec.exe, msi.dll, msihnd.dll; reboot machine and run install package for new installer. I tried this but the install package attempts to use windows installer.

I found another post from someone who says to extract the files from the installer with Winzip. Then rename the three files above, replace them with the new versions and unregister/register the msiexec.exe file. I tried this and on reboot I get a message saying that the installer doesn't exist, but then it goes right back to the other message.

It looks like windows keeps putting the original files back in the System32 folder. Is this Windows File Protection in action? Do I need to turn this off before I can update the installer?

I've done this before and I remember it being a lot easier. Im looking a reinstall if I can't get this to work. Can anyone help?

...other notes: I was logged in as a user who had administrative priveleges, but I also repeated the same procedures while logged in as administrator just to make sure.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Huh..that's odd. I've run into problems with the windows installer quite a few times, it's always been "cured" by just downloading and installing the latest installer. Actually now that I'm thinking about it, I have run into the situation once where I do remember having to rename the files, and pretty much reinstall it entirely.

But yours is still hosing. hmmm...1) Check for virus. 2) Try running the install in safe mode?

[Partial]

damn...Im trying to think if I actually tried doing the install while still in safe mode. Im pretty sure that I did, but maybe not.

btw, if I try to start up the service manually, I get an error about not being able to start the service possible because of permissions. Is it possible that my permissions could be wacked out even for the administrator account?

[YeOldeStonecat]

What are the logon account properties, under the service properties?

[Partial]

...just the default settings. Logon as Local System Account: Allow services to interact with the desktop.

The user account is an account within a domain. But I tried starting the Windows Installer as both the domain user and a local administrator.

[Partial]

I tried installing the software in Safe Mode and I get an error message again. If I disable the msi.dll and related files then it tells me that Installer won't startup. If I just try to reinstall, I get a message that the service already exists.

YOSC, I've seen this problem before too and all I had to do was install the new version of Windows Installer. Nothing fancy. Now Im looking at reinstalling Windows. I hate doing a reinstall if it is avoidable especially if I am recommending an install to a customer.

thanks for the feedback

[Scott]

Just a suggestion, but did you look in the Group Policies Editor to make sure it hasn't been disabled there?

[Ahren]

This help?

Its on the 2K/XP cd under support/tools

http://www.tburke.net/info/suptools/topics/msicuu.htm

[curt252525]

Not sure you have this issue with Windows Installer problem. As odd as this sounds I had similar issue also. Figured what was causing by accident. I also did pretty much the same as you did, to fix windows installer problem. It would like hang during uninstall or some windows installer screen. I had done even format and that did fix it.

Thats when I realized it had to with some services I had disabled right away thinking I did need them. I am thinking you might of done the same also. So be careful when your going to these services sites saying you don't need a service running, not always true.

To me sounds like you need to make sure Com+ Event System and Com+ System Application set to manual or automatic. This is under services in the control panels within Admin Tools. Oh forgot to mention this be for Windows XP issue. If you got a different OS then the issue is completely different.

Anyways whoever has this similar let us know if this resolves your windows installer problem. I am pretty sure those two need to be enabled atleast set to manual which works for me.

Hope this helps everyone. Sorry this was just a long message. Post your results on this test plz to let us know if it proved to fix the issue.

Curt