Windows Installer trouble...

Howdy folks. I'm currently using 64-bit Windows Vista Home Premium, and I've run into some trouble with installing .msi files. Whenever I attempt to download the file, I get an irritating error message stating:

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.

Click to expand...

So, I tried going to the Microsoft site and downloading a new copy of Windows Installer. However, upon downloading the 64-bit Vista version, it informs me that the update does not apply to my system (Which is, once again, 64-bit Vista).

Typing "msiexec" into the Start menu search tells me that I have version 4.5.6002.18005 (Of the installer), and from what I can see, there don't appear to be any errors.

Anybody have any suggestions?
This is becoming a real pain...

Are you selecting "Run" for the download or "Save"? You shouldn't have a problem with Windows Installer if you select Save. The Windows Installer will kick in when you try to run the .exe.

I saved the file. Whenever I open it, the installer attempts to fire-up, but then I get the error message.

Hello, is this a recent issue or has it always been this way ?

Which anti-virus or security software are you using? You might try disabling it. You could also try disabling UAC.

Yard Dog said:

Hello, is this a recent issue or has it always been this way ?

Click to expand...

I just inherited the computer as a Christmas present, so I'm not sure.

wither 3 said:

Which anti-virus or security software are you using? You might try disabling it. You could also try disabling UAC.

Click to expand...

I've got SuperAntiSpyware.

So I went and tried running Microsoft Fix-It, but like 1/10 of the way in it informs me that it can't continue because an error has occurred, and PowerShell failed to install.

I wonder if you made another User Admin account , if that would work. Also , have you tried this yet ? http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

I had a very similar issue once. Are you able to install other programs that use the Windows Installer, or is it just .msi files that are problematic? If any program that uses Windows Installer has a problem, I might know how to fix it right away.

Slammer said:

I had a very similar issue once. Are you able to install other programs that use the Windows Installer, or is it just .msi files that are problematic? If any program that uses Windows Installer has a problem, I might know how to fix it right away.

Click to expand...

It's all Windows Installer files. I attempted to install iTunes (.exe) and it told me the same thing.

Ok. Open the start menu and type Folder Options and open that. Go to the View tab and make sure the circle marked "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" is selected. Then, open up Computer and go to the address bar at the top. Type in C:\Windows\Installer there and push enter. (change C:\ to whatever letter your main drive is on) Right-click on any folder in there and go to Properties. Go to the Security tab, and click on SYSTEM under the "Group or user names:" header. After you select SYSTEM, it will show all the permissions in the bottom box. Please tell me all of the items that have a check mark next to them in that window. Or better yet, just post a screenshot of that if you can.

Slammer said:

Ok. Open the start menu and type Folder Options and open that. Go to the View tab and make sure the circle marked "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" is selected. Then, open up Computer and go to the address bar at the top. Type in C:\Windows\Installer there and push enter. (change C:\ to whatever letter your main drive is on) Right-click on any folder in there and go to Properties. Go to the Security tab, and click on SYSTEM under the "Group or user names:" header. After you select SYSTEM, it will show all the permissions in the bottom box. Please tell me all of the items that have a check mark next to them in that window. Or better yet, just post a screenshot of that if you can.

Click to expand...

I can't get a screenshot (Internet troubles), but everything is allowed except for "Special Permissions".

Full Control, Modify, Read & Execute, List Folder Contents, Read and Write all have checks under "Allow". Special permissions doesn't have a check under allow or deny.

Yard Dog said:

I wonder if you made another User Admin account , if that would work. Also , have you tried this yet ? http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

Click to expand...

I tried the SFC /Scannow thing, except the window simply closed as soon as the scan was over (I also had to boot in Safe Mode to even make it work). Unfortunately, it still doesn't work.

Hmm that's very strange. I guess you have a different problem than I originally thought. My best guess at this point is that you either have a really nasty virus, or your windows installation is corrupt. Or possibly a dying hard drive. Some other people here probably have some other ideas for you to try to fix this, but I'd recommend you just go for a full reinstall of Windows at this point, because it seems that your computer is almost unusable.

You could check the hardware out , 2 tests you could do, memory test which test the RAM and harddrive test to check it . See this : Diagnostics

If you go to Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Services, is Windows Installer Service shown as manual (I think that's the default)? Even if it is, you could try starting it and see what happens.

The other thing you can try is right clicking on the msi.exe and selecting "run as administrator".