Cannot access Windows Installer - can't reinstall

[ehwj]

Win7 SP1 Home Premium 64 bit
My first post. Found some old threads on this topic here but nothing current.
I cannot access Windows Installer. When locate Windows Installer in Services it shows it to be stopped. When click on "Start" get error message "Windows could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 2 The system cannot find the file specified."
When attempt to open msiexec.exe get error message "The procedure entry point GetFileVersionInfoExW could not be located in the dynamic link library VERSION.dll"

I'm sure I need to reinstall but cannot find any info for Win7 - only for previous editions of MS.
It might help to know that some software will open and run while many others will not.

 

[MilesAhead]

It sounds like the dll is corrupted. Did you try
sfc /scannow
in an Admin command prompt?

 

[Slartybart]

How are you tring to re-install?

OEM discs?
Retail disc?
OEM Recovery mgr?

You have to have some kind of install media for Windows 7 - it's not on a running system.

 

[ehwj]

It sounds like the dll is corrupted. Did you try
sfc /scannow
in an Admin command prompt?

Yes and get error that "Windows cannot find sfc/scannow"

 

[ehwj]

How are you tring to re-install?

OEM discs?
Retail disc?
OEM Recovery mgr?

You have to have some kind of install media for Windows 7 - it's not on a running system.

Win7 came installed on machine. The only thing I have is whatever is on a partition that is hidden. I seem to recall that that partition is supposed to help to repair Windows. Probably wrong. I know some things about computers but not when it comes to the workings of Windows - but am a fast learner. Hints and pointers would be appreciated.


I attempted to reinstall Windows Installer but says already installed.
I attempted other repairs and find the error that msiexec.exe could not be found.
In fact as a general symptom it appears that the executable files have disappeared. For example cannot access iTunes or Quicken 2014 and about half of the installed application software shows error "<name>.exe not found". Then, of course, I cannot reinstall the program because msiexec doesn't work.

 

[andrew129260]

It sounds like the windows installer service is corrupted.

   Warning

Follow the directions exactly and in the order they were given

1.) Create a system restore point. Click rb: type "create" in the search and click create a restore point. Click the create button under configure. Name it whatever you wish. Click create again. Then a message will appear stating it was created successfully. Click close. Click ok.


2.) Go here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236709-services-restore-default-services-windows-7-a.html

Download only the windows installer service. Save it on your desktop or downloads folder.

3.) Open an elevated command prompt. ---> rb: type cmd in the search. Right click cmd in the results and run as administrator.

4.) Type this exactly: sc delete msiserver
It should then say the service was deleted succesfully. You can then close the dos command prompt.

5.) Immediately browse to where you saved the file from the site in the second step, and double click it. Choose yes and ok. Restart the pc.

 

[Slartybart]

No, you are exactly correct. That is why the hidden partiton is there.

Do you have another way to get on the Internet so you can post any questions once you begin the process. The machine you are Recovering will not work until the end of the process.

Do you have anything on the Lenovo worth keeping? Music, pictures, documents...
Yes? You need to back that up to external media. The Recovery process will wipe it all out.

Maybe there's another option. Why do you want to Recover your system?
Win7 has a feature called System Protection - you can "restore" your machine to a prefious working condition that doesn't wipe out your personal files.

Here's a good tutorial that you can read to familiarize yourself with System Restore
Use OPTION ONE and pay attention to Step 7 (lots of people report that they can't find an earlier Restore Point)

Let me know why you think you need to "install Windows" and if the System Restore sounds as though it would do the job instead.

-

 

[Slartybart]

Good call Andrew. I need to refresh my screen every once in a while.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this only resets the service to defaults, you're not really doing this:
Download a fresh copy of the windows installer service after doing the following:

Are you? I read the tutorial twice - might have missed something though.

Anyway, I think it's a great idea, probably necessary.

Bill
-

 

[andrew129260]

Yes and no. When you download that and merge it, (at least it worked for me), it does restore the service to defaults. But I had a case where a computer was missing the service altogether and re-downloading it from this site added it back.

So I believe it works on fixing corrupt or non existent services.

 

[ehwj]

It sounds like the windows installer service is corrupted.

   Warning

Follow the directions exactly and in the order they were given

3.) Open an elevated command prompt. ---> rb: type cmd in the search. Right click and run as administrator.

OK to here. When type cmd in Start Orb and right click only get"Paste". When click enter then several files/folders. One of those is cmd.exe. If I right click on that Run as Administrator is option. Click on that get to a dos command. Is that where I enter the next step?

 

[andrew129260]

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

That way you wont lose programs or data.

 

[ehwj]

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?

 

[andrew129260]

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.

 

[ehwj]

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"

 

[andrew129260]

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?

 

[Slartybart]

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

 

[derekimo]

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?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/236709-services-restore-default-services-windows-7-a.html

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.

 

[ehwj]

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.

 

[Slartybart]

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?
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[Slartybart]

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:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html
- 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.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html - 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
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