The Windows Installer service could not be accessed " issue !!!

[ylan]

Out of the blue, my system ( Win XP Pro + SP2) can no longer install programs with .msi file ! ). I followed method suggested by Microsoft Knowledge base but it still did not work . I did the following :

1) Re-register the Windows installer :

_Check path to the file msiexec.exe in the registry
_Go to Safe mode --> Start-->Run -->type in "msiexec / regserver " (without quoutes).

2) Re-install the Windows Installer

3) Repair Windows XP Pro + SP2 ( re-install windows files only, not a complete new installation )


What else can I do to fix this problem ? Thanks

 

[ncotton]

have you tried installing a different MSI?

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[ncotton]

BTW, in regard to the repair.

Repair the XP system > Re-apply the Service Pack 2 > Download Windows Installer 3 > Install Windows Installer 3

MS Windows Installer 3.01 HERE

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[wasisnt]

This may help depending what exactly is going on with your computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=290301

MCSE NT 4.0, A+ & Network +

Free Computer Help and Tips:

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/

 

[linney]

Can you supply the full and exact error message, is there a specific error number mentioned.

It is possible that because a repair operation saves users settings, files, and programs, that you are carrying across some corruption from the Registry. Do you have any backup you can restore to from an earlier happy time?

You could also try running Disk Cleanup and clean up some of your temp files.

Have you tried Installing a program as a different administrative user in case of a problem just with your current user?

http://www.google.com/search?source...ndows+Installer+service+could+not+be+accessed

http://groups.google.com/groups?sou...ler+service+could+not+be+accessed&sa=N&tab=wg

 

[ylan]

Thanks ncotton, wasisnt and linney for your kind suggestions which I took time to check out their validity .
1) Nothing changed when I re-applied SP2 . I used 3 different .msi files and the same message appeared : "The Windows Installer could not be accessed..... "

2) I also restored 3 backup versions of the registry at 3 different time intervals in the past 2 months . Nothing changed !

In desperation, I turned-off every program in the system except Explorer and run the .msi file again . It worked this time ! I ran the .msi file again a few more times adding one by one the usual programs I used daily such as antivirus, Spysweeper, ZoneAlarm , calendar etc... It turned out to be the "ZoneAlarm Pro " that caused all these problems . When I shut down ZoneAlarm, the Windows installer worked just fine ! My take on this issue is that somehow ZoneAlarm disallowed Windows Installer to run ! I could inadvertently select "No" when a ZoneAlarm pop-up and asked for permission !!

Again, thank you for your tips which serendipitously guided me towards an unexpected correct resolution !

 

[Frank4d]

If the error ID is #1719 this Microsoft KB article >>

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315346

usually fixes the problem.