Windows Installer Error Code 1721

Faulkner911 · Dec 31, 2010

Hello, firstly I would like to say thank you in advance for any help that can be given. Also I would like to state that I am new to dealing with technical computer problems and may often not understand some of the jargon presented. All my current information on this matter has come through google research.

The main issue I first noticed was that mysteriously, about a quarter of the programmes on my laptop has mysteriously uninstalled themselves. A few examples were the pre-loaded acer programmes, some itunes products, a couple of games, and scarily AVG Antivirus, along with quite a few others.
A few of these programmes reinstalled fine, such as AVG, but when it came to attempting to reinstall itunes I came across with this error message:
Error 1721. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personal or package vendor.

As recommended on the itunes support forums i attempted to remove all programmes affiliated with itunes before trying to reinstall, but i received this same error code while trying to uninstall one of the programmes. So this was not solved.
I then researched more and performed an SFC scan (not entirely sure what this is), and got the report of "Windows Resources Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them". I followed the command to the CBS log, but got stuck there due to lack of understanding.

I run WIndows Vista 32bit on an Acer Apire 6920G laptop. The CBS.log report can be posted if necessary, but i noticed it was VERY long.

richc46 · Dec 31, 2010

Welcome
Never heard of this one before
First Run a full updated anti virus scan
Download and run Malwarebytes full scan and update first
If postitve come back for help
If neagative
Run the SFC again, three times.
If that does not work, try a system restore from 3 days before the problem.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html
If none of that works, we may ask for the CBS Log.

Things like this do not just happen. I know that it is a virus or something that you did. Think back, add any software, try to experiement with the computer etc?

niemiro · Dec 31, 2010

Hello!

Please don't try to post the CBS.log as is, as they average around the 100,000 line mark - will ruin this topic, won't post due to restrictions etc. etc.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181765-elevated-command-prompt.html

Copy and paste in dir %WinDir%\Installer /s > %UserProfile%\Desktop\Installer.txt and press enter.

Create a new folder on your Desktop called LOGS. Copy Installer.txt from your Desktop into the LOGS folder. Copy C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log into your new LOGS folder.

Right click on your LOGS folder > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder. Upload the new LOGS.zip.

Thanks!

Richard

Faulkner911 · Dec 31, 2010

Yesterday I ran a scan using malwarebytes, AVG and Spybot S&D. All 3 programmes picked up malicious software at some point which I removed, but I didnt note any of the names or details of these.

I have run scans using all 3 programmes today and picked up nothing.

I am currently in the process of running more SFC scans, although due to the time it takes i may not be able to post a reply to these scans until the new year.

I have 'hopefully' successfully attached a compressed folder of the CBS.log for the first SCF scan that I ran yesterday.

Thanks for all help given so far, and I will award reputation and anything else I am able to give.

EDIT: I know that this problem appeared to start occuring after I uninstalled TeaTimer. I did this under instruction from a previous forum to improve the CPU performance of my laptop, and from what i am aware, this should not have caused any problems. In terms of any other software install/uninstalls, I cannot think of anything.

In terms of experimenting with the computer, I did a forced removal of a file in my recycle bin (that was also most likely a virus), as its refused to remove using normal emptying techniques. This was just using some code given to me over a forum to input into the command prompt.

richc46 · Dec 31, 2010

I would follow the advice of Niemiro. He knows how to fix these problems manually.
But if it fails try a system restore from 3 days before any virus or problems, if you can go back that far.

niemiro · Dec 31, 2010

Faulkner911 said:
Yesterday I ran a scan using malwarebytes, AVG and Spybot S&D. All 3 programmes picked up malicious software at some point which I removed, but I didnt note any of the names or details of these.

I have run scans using all 3 programmes today and picked up nothing.

I am currently in the process of running more SFC scans, although due to the time it takes i may not be able to post a reply to these scans until the new year.

I have 'hopefully' successfully attached a compressed folder of the CBS.log for the first SCF scan that I ran yesterday.

Thanks for all help given so far, and I will award reputation and anything else I am able to give.

EDIT: I know that this problem appeared to start occuring after I uninstalled TeaTimer. I did this under instruction from a previous forum to improve the CPU performance of my laptop, and from what i am aware, this should not have caused any problems. In terms of any other software install/uninstalls, I cannot think of anything.

In terms of experimenting with the computer, I did a forced removal of a file in my recycle bin (that was also most likely a virus), as its refused to remove using normal emptying techniques. This was just using some code given to me over a forum to input into the command prompt.

Hello!

System Restore would be ideal, if possible. However, here are alternative instructions. I would like to see your old MBAM reports. Please open MBAM, and open the LOGS tab. Double click on each log, and paste each one here. If you can find similar things for AVG and Spybot then great, otherwise not to worry - the logs are all saved somewhere.

Onto SFC: I believe that it may have actually fixed the problem. Please make sure that it has been run at least once more after that first time (run at least twice - another twice is very definitely NOT necessary) Then repeat the LOG exercise, but for CBS.log ONLY. Your installer.txt log passed. This is a good thing. If it fails, then the only solution is a clean install, but it passed.

Thanks!

Richard

Faulkner911 · Dec 31, 2010

Okay, thank you for the very quick replies.
Unfortunately like I said I am new to solving computer issues so I am not too familiar with the System Restore. I followed the instructions given by the link, but it seems the earliest restore point I have is from 9pm yesterday, which is not even before the problems began to occur.

I have 2 MBAM logs here, as I have only had the programme since yesterday.
The fist logs shows this:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
Malwarebytes

Database version: 5422

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.6002.18005

30/12/2010 13:11:29
mbam-log-2010-12-30 (13-11-29).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Objects scanned: 149590
Time elapsed: 15 minute(s), 7 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 2
Registry Values Infected: 1
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 1

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{01398B87-61AF-4FFB-9AB5-1A1C5FB39A9C} (PUP.Dealio) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{E312764E-7706-43F1-8DAB-FCDD2B1E416D} (PUP.Dealio) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\Microsoft Updates (Backdoor.Bot) -> Value: Microsoft Updates -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
c:\Users\Dean\AppData\Roaming\antispywarebot (Rogue.AntiSpywareBot) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
c:\Users\Dean\Desktop\adobe photoshop cs4 keygenerator.exe (Trojan.Agent.CK) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

The second log shows this:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.50.1.1100
Malwarebytes

Database version: 5422

Windows 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.6002.18005

31/12/2010 16:33:44
mbam-log-2010-12-31 (16-33-44).txt

Scan type: Full scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 278617
Time elapsed: 2 hour(s), 30 minute(s), 50 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Due to my inexperience I havn't been able to find any scan logs for AVG or Spybot, as I am wary of causing more damage to my system by messing with files that I dont understand.

I hope what I have supplied can be of use, thank you.

Faulkner911 · Jan 2, 2011

Hello again Richard, and happy new years to you!

Ive been doing a lot of digging around over the past 2 days and come across a very interesting thread on the same issue with a user back in march, that you were part of their solution.
http://www.vistax64.com/software/27...nes-windows-installer-package-problem-10.html

I noticed that this user, along with about 5 other people that left comments on the thread were all using some sort of Acer Aspire laptop or pc. And that is exactly what I myself am using. I doubt there is any coincidence here..

I am going to attempt so of the fixes suggested in that thread, as things are becoming a bit desperate.
What scares me is the fact that this problem seemed to stem from the same point that about 1/4 of my programs mysteriously uninstalled. I don't know if you have any more information on that from the MBAM logs that I posted, or if there is any information i can supply to identify this?

Many Thanks,
Dean

Faulkner911 · Jan 2, 2011

Ok so my main issue with the installer appears to be solved.

Many thanks, as I couldn't have done it without your information from the other thread.

If you have any information regarding the issue of my 'disappearing' programs, that would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Dean.

niemiro · Jan 3, 2011

Hello Dean!

I am so sorry for the late reply. Everything got really hectic and busy. I am really glad that the original problem is now solved. Also, I have just looked at your LOGS, and SFC has worked its magic, and resolved your file system corruptions, which is really good news.

See you around,

Richard

Windows Installer Error Code 1721

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