Help with enabling "Windows Installer"

Geege · 18-01-2007, 3:34 PM

I think I have fiddled around too much with my PC's system registry and I can't get software programmes to install. One reason I think if that "Windows Installer" is turned off (stopped) as sohwn on my system registry.

How do I restart this programme and ensure it starts each time I start up the computer.

Is it within services? I tried msconfig.exe but couldn't enable it through this any ideas?

chief barker · 18-01-2007, 3:40 PM

Start>run>type 'Services.msc' (without the quotes) scroll down to windows installer and make sure it's set to manual.

Geege · 18-01-2007, 3:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief barker

Start>run>type 'Services.msc' (without the quotes) scroll down to windows installer and make sure it's set to manual.

Ah! of-course, Services.msc, I fogot that was the command to use. Why set to manual and not "Automatic"?

chief barker · 18-01-2007, 3:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_gilmour

Ah! of-course, Services.msc, I fogot that was the command to use. Why set to manual and not "Automatic"?

Mine is set to manual and i have no problems installing programs.

Singh400 · 18-01-2007, 4:04 PM

The default setting for Windows Installer service is Manual.

GaryB · 18-01-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_gilmour

Ah! of-course, Services.msc, I fogot that was the command to use. Why set to manual and not "Automatic"?

It's best to set as many services as possible to Manual. That way they only start when required and don't use memory.

Geege · 22-01-2007, 9:52 AM

There is a reason why I am having problem with Windows Install and Windows Update (and installing those updates) is because my Zone Alarm anti-virus programme has detected a trojan virus on my computer

It is called Win32/boxed family and I am trying to get rid of it. Argh!!!!

Any suggesstions/advice would be appriecated.

GaryB · 22-01-2007, 9:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_gilmour

There is a reason why I am having problem with Windows Install and Windows Update (and installing those updates) is because my Zone Alarm anti-virus programme has detected a trojan virus on my computer

It is called Win32/boxed family and I am trying to get rid of it. Argh!!!!

Any suggesstions/advice would be appriecated.

I would have thought that Zone Alarm AV would be able to get rid of it. The action required is different depending on the exact version of the Boxed virus. See here for more details:

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/viru...p?NAV=28&ltr=D

Geege · 22-01-2007, 11:35 AM

Thanks for your help,

I think Zone Alarm AV has got rid of it, or the virus' copies anyway. I have since conducted another AV scan and nothing has been detected this time, so fingers crossed. However, what ever the virus has done seems to have corrupted the registry or deleted/changed registry keys, as Windows Update still cannot install its updates

Singh400 · 22-01-2007, 1:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryB

It's best to set as many services as possible to Manual. That way they only start when required and don't use memory.

Not neccesarliy, some services like 'Print Spooler' won't start automatically even if you try to print something, you have to* start it manually.

*That is if you have it set to Manual.

GaryB · 22-01-2007, 1:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singh400

Not neccesarliy, some services like 'Print Spooler' won't start automatically even if you try to print something, you have to* start it manually.

*That is if you have it set to Manual.

That's why I said as many as possible. Essential Windows services have to be left on auto. At boot on my PC I have 19 services running. A typical Windows PC will have around 50. Print spooler isn't essential BTW. You can run Windows OK without it, you just just have to wait while things print.

Singh400 · 22-01-2007, 2:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryB

That's why I said as many as possible. Essential Windows services have to be left on auto. At boot on my PC I have 19 services running. A typical Windows PC will have around 50. Print spooler isn't essential BTW. You can run Windows OK without it, you just just have to wait while things print.

Nah you need Print Spooler service running in order to print. Unless you use direct printing?

duke748 · 22-01-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_gilmour

However, what ever the virus has done seems to have corrupted the registry or deleted/changed registry keys, as Windows Update still cannot install its updates

run the following command line if your still having problems with windows installer

msiexec /regserver

Also check the eventlogs for information on why the apps are failing

Geege · 23-01-2007, 5:26 PM

I did a fix to the Background Intelligence Transfer Service in the registry and that did the trick, It managed to install the 15 Window Updates that it was waiting for, except for my Internet Explorer. Anyway so I've managed to download the IE7 and Netscape onto a disc so I can copy this onto my computer. This should do the trick too.

Thanks for everyones help...

GaryB · 24-01-2007, 9:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_gilmour

I did a fix to the Background Intelligence Transfer Service in the registry and that did the trick, It managed to install the 15 Window Updates that it was waiting for, except for my Internet Explorer. Anyway so I've managed to download the IE7 and Netscape onto a disc so I can copy this onto my computer. This should do the trick too.

Thanks for everyones help...

I'd steer clear of Netscape and get Firefox if you want an alternative to IE. It's newer and better.

DVD-Man · 24-01-2007, 4:20 PM

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/index.html

Liam