Windows Installer pops up when copying files, etc

[kornork]

I'm having a weird issue - when I copy files, or right click, or just do operating system things, Windows Installer pops up and tells me I need to put in the Publisher 2002 CD. I'm using Windows 2000, and I've tried using freeware uninstaller programs to get rid of Publisher completely, but no luck.

I didn't install Office on this computer myself, so I don't know if Publisher was originally installed or if this is happening for some other reason, but I don't have the original Publisher disk either.

It's really getting to be a pain - it happens several times a day.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Josh

 

[LordMaximus]

Hi kornork

The problem in this case seems to be the Windows installer. I goes corrupt from time to time. What you need to do is re-install the windows installer. (I know this sounds weird)

Search for a file called instmsi and run it. Should fix the problem.

Let me know if it doesnt work cause i've got some other solutions as well.

 

[kornork]

LordMaximus,

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried running the file that was already on my computer, and it said it was for the wrong OS. So I downloaded the file instmisW.exe from Microsoft's website, but that didn't appear to do anything. I found another copy of instmsi.exe, but running this one didn't give any output - so I don't know if it ran or not.

I'm going to keep looking for a copy of instmsi.exe - which I was never able to find on MS's website. In the meantime, do you have any other suggestions?

I found a Windows Installer Cleanup tool on MS's website - do you know if this would help with the problem I have?

Thanks,
Josh