windows installer blinking continuously

Surtlab

After upgrading my Internet Security via download, everything is installed but the firewall. My windows installer window comes up blinking excessively when I open ANYTHING. I also it floating down in my task bar, as if it's trying to install the firewall. I cannot uninstall the firewall from control panel as it won't let me. This has really slowed everything down on my pc. I am running WXP Medial Center SP2 with AMD Athlon 64 bit processor. Hope someone can help as I've computer savvy but can't get this one fixed.

Surtlab

Leonardo

Have tried uninstalling from Safe Mode? You might try that, and if it will let, uninstall the firewall and your anti-virus software and start over again.

I noticed that you wrote about installing a firewall. That means that you aren't using the integral Windows firewall? If you are installing an aftermarket firewall, ensure that you turn off the Windows firewall first. The two might conflict with each other. (Don't know for sure, never tried two simultaneously.)

mtrox

I have the strong feeling "Internet Security" means Norton. And I think he means that Norton installed all but the firewall portion. You won't find too many Norton fans around here....because it causes more problems than it solves. But...if you just paid for it and you must install it, I feel a bit like Leonardo.

I think you need a full uninstall first. Go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and take out everthing Norton/Symantec related. Then go here to Symantec's site and use the Norton Removal Tool because even they know their uninstallers do such a crappy job.

You might also have a damaged Windows Installer. Your symptoms are typical of a corrupt installer. Follow these instructions from Microsoft.

1. Quit all Windows programs.
2. Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /unregister in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. In Windows Explorer, rename the following files in the %systemroot%\System32 folder:

• Msi.dll
• Msihnd.dll
• Msiexec.exe

Note If you cannot rename these files, try to rename the files at a command prompt. To start a command prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.

4. Restart Windows XP.

When XP reboots it will rebuld your Windows Installer. Now that you're all clean of Norton and have a shiny new Windows installer, make a Restore Point before you try again.......just because. Then try the install again.

Surtlab

mtrox wrote:

I have the strong feeling "Internet Security" means Norton. And I think he means that Norton installed all but the firewall portion. You won't find too many Norton fans around here....because it causes more problems than it solves. But...if you just paid for it and you must install it, I feel a bit like Leonardo.

I think you need a full uninstall first. Go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and take out everthing Norton/Symantec related. Then go here to Symantec's site and use the Norton Removal Tool because even they know their uninstallers do such a crappy job.

You might also have a damaged Windows Installer. Your symptoms are typical of a corrupt installer. Follow these instructions from Microsoft.

1. Quit all Windows programs.
2. Click Start, click Run, type msiexec /unregister in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. In Windows Explorer, rename the following files in the %systemroot%\System32 folder:

• Msi.dll
• Msihnd.dll
• Msiexec.exe

Note If you cannot rename these files, try to rename the files at a command prompt. To start a command prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.

4. Restart Windows XP.

When XP reboots it will rebuld your Windows Installer. Now that you're all clean of Norton and have a shiny new Windows installer, make a Restore Point before you try again.......just because. Then try the install again.

I am not running Norton (hate em') I installed CA (computer assoc.) formerly Etrust Internet Security. I have used this program for the last year and was pleased.
I tried to uninstall in safe mode and got error....W9039 unable to uninstall spyware and firewall but it uninstalled anti-virus and spam. I do think that my installer is corrupt.
I've tried to unregister and reregister, but have am fixing to try what you suggested. Will be back soon with result as this is driving me CRAZY!

Thanx
Surtlab

Surtlab

Surtlab wrote:

I am not running Norton (hate em') I installed CA (computer assoc.) formerly Etrust Internet Security. I have used this program for the last year and was pleased.
I tried to uninstall in safe mode and got error....W9039 unable to uninstall spyware and firewall but it uninstalled anti-virus and spam. I do think that my installer is corrupt.
I've tried to unregister and reregister, but have am fixing to try what you suggested. Will be back soon with result as this is driving me CRAZY!

Thanx
Surtlab

OK, I am not too familiar with windows explorer. When I go there from accessories, it takes me to my documents. I think I need the elementary run down on exactly how I get to this %systemroot%\system 32 folder, PLEASE!

Surtlab
OK, I found it through search files, it looks as if it will let me rename, however, what do I rename it? Not familiar messing with dll files and renaming?

mtrox

First thing you might need to is get ready to see it all. At the top of Windows Explorer, to to Tools> Folder Options..., then click the view tab and check "Display the Contents of System Folders". Under "Hidden files and folders" check the "Show hidden files and folders". Now also uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" and right below it, uncheck "Hide protected Op Sys files. Say OK to the big warning you get, then click OK at the bottom of Folder Options. Now you can see it all.

Now if you see My Docs, I'll bet you can see My Computer right below it. Double click that, then the C:\ drive, then Windows, then system 32 and you should be able to see the three files the Microsoft instructions talk about.

After you kill it all, reboot and XP will rebuild it all. Then before you reinstall CA you might go to Windows Update...it will probably show you and update to the Windows Installer. Given the problems you've had, I think you want that first.

Now I'm going to a buddy's house to watch football.

mtrox

Oh, and take Leonardo's advice, kill the Windows firewall before you install again. I've found that two competing firewalls and two competing anti-v apps can play havoc.

Surtlab

I found it but don't know what to rename it? not familiar with renaming dll files.
Do I just delete them and xp will reinstall after reboot?

mtrox

Surtlab wrote:

I found it but don't know what to rename it? not familiar with renaming dll files.
Do I just delete them and xp will reinstall after reboot?

Yea you could just do that. The worst that could happen is you'd restore them from your recycle bin. But XP will rebuild them.

Surtlab

I've done everything that you have suggested and no luck. I went to MS website and followed there suggestion, which was basically what you suggested, but when i was in win dir\system32 and ran this....
ren msi.dll msi.old
ren msiexec.exe msiexec.old
ren msihnd.dll msihnd.old
All it did was remove my Add/Remove Programs so I changed it back. XP did not rebuild my Installer and now I'm thinking of running the windows installer clean up. I cannot uninstall the CA Firewall or Spyware with error W9039, when I try to uninstall from control panel, windows installer pops up trying to install then says the feature is on a network resource unavailable. I'm confused as hell now. Thanks for your suggestions, if you think of any thing else, post me.
Thanks,
Surtlab

mtrox

I'm a bit lost now. Renaming those files and using the msiexec /unregister command should make Windows rebuild the installer. It makes sense that Add/Remove is gone.

At any rate, check CA's knowlege base. I found this article that sounds a bit like your symptoms.

Surtlab

hi,
if i restep my steps again with renaming, etc. then how do i get add/remove programs back and why does it go away? I've had no luck with CA e-trust website or response back via email. I;m almost on the verge of calling MS. My installer just floats in the tast bar and multiplies itself trying to install.

mtrox

Surtlab I'm not sure what's going on there. I just renamed the three files on my computer just to try to break it the same way. Then I tried to rename them back and couldn't because another file already had that name. In other words, XP already healed itself and made three new ones without a reboot.

Makes me wonder what sort of evil lurks in your system. Do you have a restore point you could go back to before all this drama?

Surtlab

GUESS WHAT?? I'M FIXED!
It was definitely a CA Internet Security problem conflicting.
After I found live chat via their website, tech help had me go into task manager, then processes and find all of the msiexec and right click to end process tree. That fixed the installer however, when I went to reinstall, the installer started back. My clue it was the software suite.
Techi then had me go into windows explorer and get rid of all CA plus a list of dll files related, then registry key, and deleted several there.
WA-LA, download and installation works like a charm and no windows installer problem.
Thanx for all your time and help, I learned alot and kept my print outs for future reference.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Surtlab

mtrox

Nice job. Sounds like you stumbled on a tech support guy who knew what he was doing. Have a turkey leg Surt!

After hearing about how he had you kill all the CA .dll files and registry entries, it makes me wonder if CA has the same trouble uninstalling that Norton does...