"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed" and other problems

AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
edited March 2009 in Science & Tech
Hello all ... brand new here and in a bit of a rough state. I'm running XP Pro. Can't access Administrator (forgot password over the years). I do have administrator privileges.

Despite AVG Free and Spyware Detector from Max Secure I managed to acquire a number of infections that were found after running Avast Free.

I didn't spot any big time Trojans (in my limited experience) but after cleaning up what I could I still have many of the problems that have been plaguing me for two weeks now.

One of the biggest problems is getting the message: "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed" ... etc. I'm finding it impossible to update drivers, jre6 and delete programs.

I came across Robert Hallock's article Fix the Windows Installer Service:
http://icrontic.com/articles/fix-the-windows-installer-service

The symptoms described my problems with this service so I followed the instructions (renaming msi.dll, msiexec.exe and msihnd.dll). Reboot. D/L
Windows Installer-kb893803-v2-x86.exe

Attempt to run was met with message:

"Setup has determined that the Service Pack version of this system is newer than the update you are applying. There is no need to install this update."

I was quite excited with the possibilities until I got this message.

Other problems that came into being at the same time:

lost the task bar
lost drag & drop function
lost cut & paste except in Notepad
can open, but not reply, forward or create messages in Outlook Express
instead, get a not enough memory message.
RPC service is unavailable
Windows won't update: Error 1719
tried to run malwarebytes get message: "Runtime error 372 Failed to load control vbalGrid from vbalsgrid6.ocx Your version of vbalsgrid6.ocx may be outdated." Obviously I can't upgrade to jre6u12

Does anyone recall seeing these symptoms? I would be grateful even to fix Windows Installer Service.

These changes may have come about after:
Running RegCure & "fixing" errors
Updating Google Earth

I'm just not sure

I have posted these symptoms to Tech Guy (no response) and Tek-Tips (good response but nothing changed).

Thanks,

JM

Comments

  • rashakhairyrashakhairy
    edited March 2009
    m8 u need defanatly to access the admin account use a software called ERD cpmmander that will help u to reset the administrator password without need the old password.
    http://www.fullandfree.info/software/erd-commander-2005/
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    Yeah you need the access to the admin account or you won't be able to get anywhere.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    rashakhairy wrote:
    m8 u need defanatly to access the admin account use a software called ERD cpmmander that will help u to reset the administrator password without need the old password.
    http://www.fullandfree.info/software/erd-commander-2005/

    Thank you both! I have downloaded ERD Commander and burned image to disc. I am being quite cautious here ... next steps?

    JM
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    Yeah you need the access to the admin account or you won't be able to get anywhere.

    So ... I rebooted using the ERD Commander disc and used Locksmith to change Admin p/w ... thank you - that was very useful. Always write your passwords down in felt pen on the wall, just in case!:p

    Next I used the program to try and repair files but got the message: "No corrupt system files were detected"

    Still have all the same issues described above.:mad:

    Thanks!

    JM
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    go into dos and issue the command: sfc /scannow that is an internal window sprogram that will go through and check for any damaged windows core files by comparing what you currently have to what you should have.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    go into dos and issue the command: sfc /scannow that is an internal window sprogram that will go through and check for any damaged windows core files by comparing what you currently have to what you should have.

    Thanks kryyst

    I ran sfc /scannow. Windows File Protection progress bar ran to completion and closed with no further results than a new command prompt line.

    JM
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    Try doing the manual repair of windows installer again in the steps you previously did. Only that article is a little older now so the installer it's linked to is now outdated.

    Use Windows installer 4.5

    Instead and see if that works.

    If not, based on this and the other problems your describing it's very likely whatever virus you had took out some critical system files and you may need to do a windows repair install.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    Try doing the manual repair of windows installer again in the steps you previously did. Only that article is a little older now so the installer it's linked to is now outdated.

    Use Windows installer 4.5

    Instead and see if that works.

    If not, based on this and the other problems your describing it's very likely whatever virus you had took out some critical system files and you may need to do a windows repair install.

    Thanks kryyst - the adventure never ends!:rolleyes:

    I tried Windows installer 4.5 but got the message: "Setup could not verify the integrity of the file Update.inf. Make sure the cryptographic service is running on this computer". By-the-way my msi.dll, msiexec.exe and msihnd.dll are all still renamed (old).

    I Googled the error message and found MS page (kb/822798) that led me down a multistep attempt to fix this situation. I've taken a break at Step 5 (some rather time consuming) to send this note. Should I continue this lengthy process?

    If I have lost critical system files and need to do a windows repair install, is there a method that preserves my data, programs, etc and simply replaces missing system files?

    A few days ago I read about Fred Langa's No-Reformat, Nondestructive rebuild option. Are you aware of the pros & cons of this option?

    Thanks

    JM
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    I'm not familiar with that particular option, probably involves some work.

    The typical repair install doesn't require a format of the system. It does require a windows XP disk though, not a windows recovery disk. But you boot up with the windows xp cd go to the point where you'd normally start the install it will detect that windows is already installed on the machine and give you the option to repair it.

    What the repair does is reinstall windows more or less. However any installed programs, data etc... is left intact. Once windows is repaired the only thing left to do is redo some of the windows updates.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    I'm not familiar with that particular option, probably involves some work.

    The typical repair install doesn't require a format of the system. It does require a windows XP disk though, not a windows recovery disk. But you boot up with the windows xp cd go to the point where you'd normally start the install it will detect that windows is already installed on the machine and give you the option to repair it.

    What the repair does is reinstall windows more or less. However any installed programs, data etc... is left intact. Once windows is repaired the only thing left to do is redo some of the windows updates.

    That option is described here: http://informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

    I have been reluctant to try it because someone's comment on the process suggests that if a repair is tried by booting from an OEM disc, and the disc has been customized to automatically run the procedure, choosing certain options in certain screens for you it invariably wipes the disc in the process.

    I only have my OEM (Synergio) XP Pro disc & number, so I am in my 'abundance-of-caution' state.

    Any last words of advice? I don't seem to be able to back anything up, so that's out! I have saved a lot to an external drive over the past year or so but I'd hate to lose my e-mail & recent data.

    I really appreciate the help! Thanks kryyst!:)

    JM
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    ... I don't seem to be able to back anything up, so that's out! ... JM[/quote]


    Of course I can back things up! I've got ERD Commander 2005! I just hadn't explored all the possibilities. What an amazing program! Was able to back up many GBs of data and all of my Outlook Express - address books & .dbx files.

    What a relief! :D

    Now I can see about repairing XP

    JM
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    It depends on the disk. An OEM version of XP that's a full normal version of XP, you can do a non-destructive repair. Where you loose data is if it's not a full standalone version of XP and it's a recovery install disk. If it's a recovery install disk what it will do is just re-image your machine back to the same state it came from the factory.

    Typically if you've bought a brand name computer (Dell, HP, Acer, etc...) they come with recovery versions of XP. If it's a white box computer they usually come with full OEM versions of XP.

    OEM is just a type of licensing that a computer manufacturer gets. It in itself has no bearing on what they do with that license.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    It depends on the disk. An OEM version of XP that's a full normal version of XP, you can do a non-destructive repair. Where you loose data is if it's not a full standalone version of XP and it's a recovery install disk. If it's a recovery install disk what it will do is just re-image your machine back to the same state it came from the factory.

    Typically if you've bought a brand name computer (Dell, HP, Acer, etc...) they come with recovery versions of XP. If it's a white box computer they usually come with full OEM versions of XP.

    OEM is just a type of licensing that a computer manufacturer gets. It in itself has no bearing on what they do with that license.

    Thanks again kryyst! I tried booting with XP CD in drive but boot proceeded normally to my desktop. ERD Commander boots to the program so I don't know why XP won't.

    After bootup is complete I can put the XP CD in and it opens to the install window. Attempts to install result in the message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is newer ..." etc. Does this mean I have to get rid of SP3? The disc is SP1.

    A good time to bring up the fact that Add/Remove Programs seems to have disappeared from Control Panel over the past few days ... :confused:

    I'm starting to feel ... :grumble:

    Thanks

    JM
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2009
    Laddie, it's time to perform a Windows "Repair" installation, not boot from CD, but install Windows under the 'repair' option. Do you know how to do this? (It leaves all your data and programs intact.)
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited March 2009
    Leo, that's what they've been talking about for the last 7 posts.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited March 2009
    Yes, I know, but Laddie spoke of attempting to boot into Windows with the CD. I got the impression has was not trying the a real installation, just the Recovery Console or some such.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    Leonardo wrote:
    Yes, I know, but Laddie spoke of attempting to boot into Windows with the CD. I got the impression has was not trying the a real installation, just the Recovery Console or some such.

    I'm pleased to hear from you both and thanks for trying to help.

    Yes Leonardo, I am trying the real installation - I don't think I have any other choice. I'm under the impression that the Recovery Console needs to be installed when the machine is in a normal working state and I had never done it.

    I was kind of surprised (but not really, given my recent issues) that, with the CD in the drawer, the machine didn't boot straight into the Install window. When I finally got there it seems I couldn't proceed because of having upgraded to SP3.

    I'm presuming I now have to get rid of SP3 before I reinstall under the repair option (or am even allowed to proceed). I seem to have lost Add/Remove but there must be a way of going straight to the proper folder and deleting it & hopefully not leaving any pesky remnants.

    I can usually find my way around the computer, rename files, use cmd, etc but I'm not a tech guy by any stretch - hence all my labored posts as I creep my way along.

    I appreciate your interest!

    JM (Laddie)
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    Installing windows that way, from within windows will try and do an upgrade install which isn't what you want. You want to do a repair install.

    To do that you need to boot off that cd. If your machine isn't detecting the CD then it's most likely you need to change the boot options in your bios.

    Also note that when it's booting off the windows cd there is a prompt that comes up and says "press any key to boot from cd" that prompt only shows up for about 6 seconds. So it's possible you missed it.
  • AyeLaddieAyeLaddie
    edited March 2009
    kryyst wrote:
    Installing windows that way, from within windows will try and do an upgrade install which isn't what you want. You want to do a repair install.

    To do that you need to boot off that cd. If your machine isn't detecting the CD then it's most likely you need to change the boot options in your bios.

    Also note that when it's booting off the windows cd there is a prompt that comes up and says "press any key to boot from cd" that prompt only shows up for about 6 seconds. So it's possible you missed it.

    Thanks a million kryyst! Successful repair install - didn't lose a thing! :bigggrin: Yes - I was missing that 6 second prompt - frazzled & exhausted, I suppose. Have just finished updates to SP3 again - took all evening.

    Thank you for your remarkable patience, your clear instructions - everything! You're a tech-god, kryyst - What a site!

    All the best ...

    Laddie
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited March 2009
    Just glad you got it finally sorted out.
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