Windows installer not working 2

[tdelliott]

My son had a virus on his machine running windows xp home.
Apparently it disabled or corrupted his system works virus protection software since it doesn't work anymore. If I try to remove it I get an error message regarding the windows installer program missing or damaged. Same results if I try to reload the program. Is there a way to reinstall the windows installer without having to reload the entire operating systems?

 

[gpalmer711]

Esentially no, there is not a specific "Windows Installer" installation for XP. However Click on Start > Run > sfc /scannow > Click ok. Will run a System File Checker which will make sure all XP files are present and correct.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

can also help when you are having problems with windows installer installations/uninstalls.

However it is more than likely that the virus is causing this problem. Try running 2 of the online scans from the following page

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/support/virusfaq.htm

Once you are clear of virii a reinstall of the antivirus software should be ok.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[bcastner]

Quote: "Esentially no, there is not a specific "Windows Installer" installation for XP"

Yikes!

Quote: "Apparently it disabled or corrupted his system works virus protection software since it doesn't work anymore."

Double Yikes!

For Yikes #1: this is not true, essentially. XP both Pro and Home natively includes the Windows Installer Version 2 technology, and it cannot be removed. Until recently, it could not even be upgraded:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...70-b259-4733-a914-a956122e08e8&displaylang=en

For Double Yikes!: Depending on the malware at issue, your system could be compromised enough that a restore from ground zero may be necessary.

Rather than detail manual diagnostic and removal tools, as I do in faq608-4650 , download - update - and scan with the trialware of Giant Antispyware with your fingers crossed:

http://wwwgiantcompany.com

 

[bcastner]

Sorry, typed the Giant link incorrectly:

http://www.giantcompany.com

Best wishes,
Bill

 

[gpalmer711]

In answer to Yikes 1.

I simply meant that there was not a redistributable for XP, however I now see that version 3 redist for XP is available. As it was only released 2 weeks ago I hope you can forgive this oversite on my part.

If not let me know your punishment and i'll get the wife to administer it later [bigmile]

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[bcastner]

Have your wife force you to write a a lightbulb post or FAQ for the site: Windows Installer Upgrade to 3.0 Announced.

 

[meastaugh1]

I've seen this on a colleagues PC whose automatic updates and windows installer had been damaged by viruses.

If the upgrade to Installer 3 doesn't work, it's probably worth giving method 2 on this link a go, to allow XP to repair Windows Installer:

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

 

[tdelliott]

Just wanted to say thanks to all who responded. As it turned out more than just the installer was messed up. I finally re-installed the operating system and downloaded all the critical patches and updates. Downloaded the latest Virus updateds for Norton and everything is back up and working.