msiexec.exe will not stop

[William000]

Hi all - for a few weeks I have not been able to install or uninstall software because two "Installation is already in progress" instances of msiexec are running. If kill the process, (in Task Manager) within seconds they start up again. I have no idea what is doing this or what program is trying to install (or uninstall). Is there any way to get to the bottom of this and stop the process for good without a total restoration of the OS?

 

[linney]

See what this post says about "Inprogress", and also see the later comments about ".ipi files". Those may be part of your problem. It is a Vista post but some of the suggestions are relevant to XP. It also links to the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility which could be worth a try.

error installing any software

http://social.answers.microsoft.com.../thread/1a57bbd2-f2d6-4cab-b5b9-1ca6d37e3981/

 

[William000]

Thanks. I have jumped to the other thread(s) you referenced and so far nothing is working. Something is causing the msiexec process to keep reappearing, along with the .ipi registry key. And of course i cannot install the uninstaller utility, because "an installation is already running!!" I will try and join the other thread, although it is old. (unless you can think of something else)

 

[William000]

There is a JET714.tmp file in my temp folder that may be causing this. It cannot be deleted because something is using it. How can i delete it? Thanks

 

[William000]

Can i restore only my OS to a point in the past? (without deleting new files?)

 

[linney]

As that first thread is in a Vista Forum the site moderators might pull your question if it mentions XP too much.

If you disable the Windows Installer Service and reboot the machine with it disabled, do you get any error messages from the unknown program that is trying to install?

Are there any errors in the Event Viewer? Remember to enable that Service that you disabled.

This will explain what .jet files might be. The program mentioned in that link (Process Monitor) might be a handy tool to play with.

JET****.tmp files - What are they?

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-2379262.php

Process Monitor v2.8

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-au/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

Process Monitor Forum

http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=19

Need tutorial for Process Monitor

http://forum.sysinternals.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13724

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560

Autoruns for Windows v9.57

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

System Restore will never delete your data but any files that have been updated via Windows Updates, or programs you have installed will be returned to as they were at the restore point date. System Restore is not so dumb, it will leave you an "Undo" restore point so that you can came back to the present if the exercise is a failure.

 

[smah]

Even though it says that it's for Office, try the msi cleanup utility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

It will usually resolve this types of issues with msiexec (any, not just MS Office).

 

[GrimR]

It sounds like Auotmatic updates are running, I would go to microsoft and run the updates from the website.
Second you can delete all file in the \windows\prefetch folder [its safe]

MCITP:EA/SA, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCTS, MCP+I, MCP

 

[William000]

I found out what it was, by trial and error. I discovered that the Plug and Play service was 'hung up' on 'stopping' status even after re-boots. So I disabled Plug and Play service and rebooted and after that everything worked fine and msiexec went away. I am now able to install programs and I re-set Plug and Play to manual for now. Who'd a thunk that?

 

[goombawaho]

For me if the installer never shuts down - updating the installer version to 4.5 fixes that.

 

[William000]

Probably a good idea.

 

[goombawaho]

Actually, it's a GREAT idea (patting self on back) and should be one of the first things you do if you can sniff any installer misbehavior. With that said, the problem might be totally unrelated to the installer version. But just like a malware scan is usually my first point of checking when I "weird" behavior, it's not a bad 2nd/3rd step.

 

[GrimR]

I would suggest going to device manager and checking for hidden devices that may not have installed correctly.

MCITP:EA/SA, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCTS, MCP+I, MCP

 

[goombawaho]

Another good idea, but I believe the problem is solved.

 

[William000]

The problem is solved. Thanks everybody