[prophecy09]

Hey guys

For some reason my Windows Installer is turned off, I tried to manual start it up but I get an error saying "Incorrect command line parameters"

then an error 1053: saying the it didnt respond in time or something

any suggestions?

cheers

 

[Elvandil]

Operating system? Where did you try to turn it on?

Any information in Event Viewer that explains why it didn't run?

 

[prophecy09]

XP Pro

I tried to turn it on control panel> admin tools> services

 

[Elvandil]

See if there are any error relating to it in Event Viewer (Run: eventvwr.msc).

Any problems installing programs that use the Windows Installer?

What does it say in the "Path to executable" box in the Windows Installer properties in the Services?

 

[prophecy09]

Ok I did event viewer, here is a recent error when trying to install antivirus software:

The description for Event ID ( 11324 ) in Source ( MsiInstaller ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: Product: PC-cillin 2003 -- Error 1324.The path Documents and Settings contains an invalid character., (NULL), (NULL), (NULL), (NULL), (NULL).

I also got another similar error when trying to install a different brand antivirus software.

So yes there are problems with programs not installing, and not just antivirus software.

Its says this in the path to executable box: C:\Windows\System32\msiexec.exe

thanx mate

 

[Elvandil]

OK. First things first. That path to the executable box should have a /V switch after the msiexec.exe. Is it missing?

Is this the error you are getting?

Secondly, download this Windows Installer Cleanup Utility and install it. But be careful how you use this thing. It only removes registry entries for programs that you have uninstalled or no longer have. Be sure that you don't pick any programs that you still have or you may have problems reinstalling or uninstalling them.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/office2000pro/util20/1/NT4/EN-US/msicuu.exe

 

[Elvandil]

OK. I managed to duplicate your error. You have a registry error.

Go to Start > Run, and type:
regedit

Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer

In the right pane, right-click ImagePath and choose Modify.

In the value box, you should have:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe /V

It looks like the /V switch was removed from yours somehow (registry cleaner?).

Fix it, close regedit, and start the service.

 

[prophecy09]

ok I changed the path and it is running but it isnt working.. i tried to download that cleanup thing but i got this error:

This Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This could occur if you are running windows in safe mode, or if the windows installer is not correctly installed.

And im not in safe mode.

 

[Elvandil]

OK. Try setting the Windows Installer Service to Automatic (it should be Manual most of the time. It doesn't need to start unless needed), and rebooting.

Check to see if it is running after you reboot. If it is, try installing the cleaner just to see if the installer service is working.

 

[prophecy09]

Ok, did that.. but that error came up again.. tho the installer is still running..

hmm..

 

[Elvandil]

Go to Start > Run, and type:

msiexec.exe /unregister
OK.

Then:

msiexec.exe /regserver
OK.

It will work now. I'll bet you doughnuts!!

 

[prophecy09]

hang on...

 

[prophecy09]

Okay.. installer works now.. and i tried to install that download you linked above and it gave me this error:

error 1324: The folder path 'Program Files' contains an invalid character

 

[prophecy09]

hmm I got the same error again when trying to install microsoft office except it said 'documents and settings' contains an invalid character instead =/ ...

 

[prophecy09]

I think I might just have to reformat, unless anyone has a better idea?

cheers

 

[Elvandil]

Well, at least the installer works. But it looks like you have no place to install.

You probably have no restore points or the installer problem could have used those.

It looks like you have some pretty severe registry damage----possibly too severe to access System Restore.

You could try a repair installation, but those often do not repair registry damage. It's worth a try.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP

If that doesn't do it, you could try using a registry backup. This article shows how to do those:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

If it were me, I would save all I could and reformat.

 

[prophecy09]

I repaired windows and now it works good, cheers mate

 

[Elvandil]

Good. I'm glad that's all it took and that you didn't lose everything.

Congratulations.