Cannot access Windows Installer - can't reinstall

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  1. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #11

    Yes in the dos cmd window. Right click cmd in the search results and choose run as admin.

    If this fails we can always do a repair install.

    Repair Install

    That way you wont lose programs or data.
    Last edited by andrew129260; 26 Jan 2014 at 14:56.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 33
    Win7 Home Premium 64-bit SP 1
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Alas no change.
    Ran as instructed with one difference. When double clicked on Windows_Installer.reg, I did not see the option to merge. Did I do something wrong?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #13

    ehwj said:
    Alas no change.
    Ran as instructed with one difference. When double clicked on Windows_Installer.reg, I did not see the option to merge. Did I do something wrong?
    Did you get a popup after clicking it stating are you sure you want to continue?

    Then if you clicked yes and then ok your fine. Sorry wrong wording
    .

    Go ahead and restart.

    Now download something like firefox or a program with an installer and see if it works.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 33
    Win7 Home Premium 64-bit SP 1
    Thread Starter
       #14

    andrew129260 said:
    ehwj said:
    Alas no change.
    Ran as instructed with one difference. When double clicked on Windows_Installer.reg, I did not see the option to merge. Did I do something wrong?
    Did you get a popup after clicking it stating are you sure you want to continue?

    Then if you clicked yes and then ok your fine. Sorry wrong wording.

    Go ahead and restart.
    No change. I attempted a repair and error said "Windows Installer Service cannot be accessed"
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,566
    Windows 10 Pro
       #15

    ehwj said:

    No change. I attempted a repair and error said "Windows Installer Service cannot be accessed"
    Darn it.

    So you still cannot access your software? You cannot uninstall any programs still? Can you install any programs?

    Does the pc have a disk drive? We can download the official links for windows 7 and get you a burned cd with a legit windows 7.

    Then we can look into a repair install.

    If you have that hidden recovery partition though you should be able to reinstall windows without a disk. Problem is you would lose everything and would have to reinstall all your programs.

    Do you have your data backed up?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #16

    ehwj said:
    Alas no change.
    Ran as instructed with one difference. When double clicked on Windows_Installer.reg, I did not see the option to merge. Did I do something wrong?
    Right click > merge, not double click

    Sorry, double click is fine if you got the popup.

    I'll go take a long walk :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 17,322
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #17

    ehwj said:
    Alas no change.
    Ran as instructed with one difference. When double clicked on Windows_Installer.reg, I did not see the option to merge. Did I do something wrong?
    Did you notice this in the yellow tip box under step 3?

    Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 7

    If you do not see a Merge option when you right click on the REG file, then you will need to check in Default Programs to set the reg file extension to have it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the REG file again.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 33
    Win7 Home Premium 64-bit SP 1
    Thread Starter
       #18

    andrew129260 said:
    ehwj said:

    No change. I attempted a repair and error said "Windows Installer Service cannot be accessed"
    Darn it.

    So you still cannot access your software? You cannot uninstall any programs still? Can you install any programs?

    Does the pc have a disk drive? We can download the official links for windows 7 and get you a burned cd with a legit windows 7.

    Then we can look into a repair install.

    If you have that hidden recovery partition though you should be able to reinstall windows without a disk. Problem is you would lose everything and would have to reinstall all your programs.

    Do you have your data backed up?
    Cannot install or uninstall.
    Yes, PC has one internal drive and two external drives.
    Internal Drive is 1.5 TB, 3 Partitions - C:\Win7 and Program files; D:\ and E:\ with data
    External Drives 1.0 and 1.5TB with back up stuff, unfortunately I just discovered that the automatic backups have failed for some time so don't have a recent backup.
    I also have a hidden recovery partition but do not want to reinstall until all else fails.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #19

    I guess it wasn't that long of a walk.

    First thing then is to copy your data to the external drive.

    edit: combined posts

    Could you post a Disk Mangement screen shot?
    https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html
    Last edited by Slartybart; 26 Jan 2014 at 15:50. Reason: combined posts
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #20

    Sorry about that ehwj. I'm trying not to fire too many things at you.

    More information though would be very helpful. Thanks for post 18.


    Here are some tutorials you can read. If you have any queestions about either, I'll try to answer tehm. Wehn you're comfortable with the processes a member can help you through the tutorial if you need assistance.

    Just read them for now.
    Eventually you'll need something to try and recover your system, start here:
    System Repair Disc - Create
    - hopefully you have a blank CD-R (a Repair disk doesn't need a DVD, it's relatively small)

    I'd also like to see if you can roll back your system at some point using System Protection - Restore Points.
    System Restore - OPTION ONE (pay close attention to step 7)

    I sure you have enough for now. I'll let you chew on what I gave you.

    Let me know when you're data is safely backed up / copied.

    Bill
    -
      My Computer


 
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