Installer constantly failing

harufy

New Member
Windows Installer in Vista keeps failing to install updates. Fails for a variety of reasons:
- Auto updates - it goes through the process of installing them but after reboot most have failed and it wants to reinstall them
- Fails to install items like MSE or C++ runtime
- It does try to install items such as Vista Security updates eg KB263371. Security says it updated but then it reappears again as not updated
- at times fail codes (eg 641, 80070645, 2, 490), at other times nothing

Machine is an AcerAspire SA90 with Vista Home Basic SP2, Windows Firewall and Avast A/V

Things I've tried:
1. ran the MS Installation fixit program microsoftfixit.wu.run.exe as administrator. Each time it says it found the problem and fixed it. But running again gives the same result - ie it is not permanently fixing the problem
2. several full virus scans using Avira and Kaspersky boot CD's and again with Avast loaded into Windows. Also checked for root kit virus using Kaspesky online tool. Nothing found
3. run malwarebytes and ccleaner. Nothing found
4. installed fresh copies of msiexec.exe, msihnd.dll and msi.dll from a known good vista machine (file sizes were identical)
5. carried out the three steps listed at Error
6. Observed during installs that the installer service gets started OK. Started the installer service manually.
7. Tried installing updates singly. Some seem to update OK but then reappear as not installed
8. Created a new account with admin permission and tried again using that - no change
9. Uninstalled C++ run time thinking it was the problem (Had to use Revo). Now can't reinstall. This seems to be impacting on Avast.
10. Tried all again with Antivirus and Firewall disabled
11. Uninstalled Avast and tried to firstly MSE and then AVG - both failed to install. Reinstalled Avast but still can't bring up its interface (suspect due to C++ runtime)
12. Ran sfc /scannow and no violations found.
13. Ran MS installer cleanup troubleshooter from Diagnose and fix program installing and uninstalling problems automatically. It claimed to have found and fixed corrupt registry keys and uninstall issues
14. Many updates related to .Net framework so uninstalled that. Again no improvement.

Can anyone please offer any more suggestions. I'm running out of hair.
 

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Hi Yard Dog,
Many thanks for the quick reply. This was to have been a 'quick' job for an elderly friend that has turned into a saga. I will have to get the CD's from her but I expect they will be OEM. I'm starting to think it might be easier to reformat and rebuild.
 

My Computer

Oem will work.. let me know if you have any issues on doing this . I am here for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
Thanks Yard Dog. I tried the Vista copy I had but no good so have done a full reinstall. Now going MUCH happier. I suspect the registry was badly screwed up. At times even Safe mode had issues with stability. Many thanks for your suggestions. Keith
 

My Computer

Sorry it had to come to that, but, sometimes it is necessary to just do a full reinstall. Stay safe and thanks for using VistaForums.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Emachine ET 1161-05
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 LE-1640
    Motherboard
    eMachines MCP61PM-GM (Socket AM2 )
    Memory
    2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 387MHz (6-6-6-18)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Acer E181H (1280x768@60Hz) 128MB GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name Acer E181H on NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
    Screen Resolution
    1280x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    ST316081 5AS SCSI Disk Device
    PSU
    MCP61PM-GM 9000 NVIDIA Chipset Model MCP61 Chipset Revisio
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Fan Speed 1247 RPM
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    PS/2 Compatible Mouse
    Internet Speed
    http://www.speedtest.net/result/1538974261.png
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