Windows Installer Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Gorick
  • Start date Start date
D

David Gorick

I just started having this problem after one year of flawless performance on
this computer. I have three computers running XP Pro and this has been my
most reliable one until now. When I try to update or install a program I
get the following error message:

"The windows installer service could not be accessed. You many be running
in safe mode or windows installer may not be correctly installed."

I have tried Kelly's suggestions from her website as well as MS kb Q315346
without success. I tried a repair install of XP and that left me with the
same problem. I've run out of possible solutions.

I'm open to any suggestions that anyone might have. Thanks in advance.

David
 
Solved the problem myself. How I did it I'm not sure. I went into services
and turned on almost everything and now windows installer is working fine.
Now comes the challenge to find out which service or services need to be on
for it to work the way it's supposed to. I've been using Black Vipers
suggestions for which services to run and which to turn off but now I'll
have to be a little more careful about what I'm turning off. I guess it
just proves that a little knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

David
 
Hi David,

I guess in this case, the service that was needed to be turned on is the "Windows Installer"
service. The default startup type of this servise is 'Manual' so it is recommended to leave it that
way. I have seen that fiddling around with services to increase system performance often leads to
more problems than actually solving any.

--

Anando
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Actually, that was one of the first things I checked and It was not the
problem. Another service or services was turned off and when I turned it
on, windows installer worked correctly. I just haven't figured out which
one.
 
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