“The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed"

[Chaurigol]

“The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed"

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Windows Installer 5.0.7600.16385

Hello everyone, I just joined this forum in desperate need for a solution. I recently started receiving this error message whenever I try to install a *.msi program. I have tried every single fix I've found on the net with no luck, these include:

- Unregistering/registering msiexec (in normal and safe mode)
- Exporting [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] registry value from a working OS and import it in mine.
- Copying MSI files (such as msiexec.exe, msi.dll, msisip.dll and others) from other W7 OS and replacing them with mine.
- System restore to a previous point.

And many others I don't remember right now.

Unfortunately there's no Windows Installer 5.0 available to download and try reinstallation.

Reinstalling the OS isn't really an alternative right now.

I attached my [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] key in case someone wishes to analyze it.

I would greatly appreciate any other suggestion.

Thanks in advance!

P.S.: Any additional information you need just ask for it, I will provide it as soon as possible.

 

[Chaurigol]

I went further on my research and found a way to enable debug logging for Windows Installer. So I did that and here I brought the results. I don't have the enough knowledge to interpret and get something out of this, but I'm sure it must be useful.

I tried to install Win7codecs (just picked a random MSI installer) and got the usual error, here's the log:

=== Verbose logging started: 01-01-2010 1:32:52 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 5.00.7600.00 Calling process: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\MSIEXEC.EXE ===
MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg

MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Resetting cached policy values
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: ******* RunEngine:
******* Product: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi
******* Action:
******* CommandLine: **********
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:347]: Machine policy value 'DisableUserInstalls' is 0
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: Verifying package --> 'C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi' against software restriction policy
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: Note: 1: 2262 2: DigitalSignature 3: -2147287038
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is not digitally signed
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level.
MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: Failed to connect to server. Error: 0x80080005

MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: MainEngineThread is returning 1601
=== Verbose logging stopped: 01-01-2010 1:33:22 ===

Hope this contributes.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi and welcome

Just for chuckes go iinto event viewer (eventvwr) and go to windows log>application tab look for the error from when you ran the installer. whats the event ID and source code?

Ken J

got an idea, if it is event ID 1000 and source 100.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hi Chaurigol, Welcome to SF,

I have seen this problem most un-registering and re-registering Windows Installer used to solve the problem.
There is a Microsoft KB How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems it for XP but it should work with Windows 7 as well.
Also you could try to Run the System Integrity Checker.

Start > cmd > Right click on cmd and Run as administrator
Then type SFC/ SCANNOW

Hope this helps

 

[Chaurigol]

Hi zigzag3143, first of all thanks for your reply.

Here's the information you requested:

Event ID: 1015
Source: MsiInstaller

 

[Chaurigol]

Hi Chaurigol, Welcome to SF,

I have seen this problem most un-registering and re-registering Windows Installer used to solve the problem.
There is a Microsoft KB How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems it for XP but it should work with Windows 7 as well.
Also you could try to Run the System Integrity Checker.

Start > cmd > Right click on cmd and Run as administrator
Then type SFC/ SCANNOW

Hope this helps

Thanks for your suggestion Capt.Jack Sparrow, but unfortunately I've tried SFC several times with no positive results

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

What about the Microsoft KB .. Will that helps ??

 

[Chaurigol]

What about the Microsoft KB .. Will that helps ??

I have visited and tried the solutions posted in that KB also:

Method 1: First one I tried, didn't work.
Method 2: Version 5.0 not available for download.
Method 3: Can't install the utility, since it's a MSI file too...
Method 4: Installer service is set to Manual as it should be.
Method 5: Tried emptying Temp folder too, no luck.
Method 6: I just posted the debug log on one of my previous posts, hope someone can make something useful out of it.
Method 7: Not applicable to W7, but checked some of the options listed there and they're OK.
Method 8: Not applicable.
Method 9: Didn't understand, but doesn't seem very useful at all.
Method 10: Not applicable.
Method 11: Key not present on my registry.
Method 12: Not possible as there's no MSI 5.0 to attempt a reinstallation.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway, hope to receive new ones and point out the correct fix.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

According to Log it show about permissions which Windows 7 is quiet famous for that. I found something that might helpful for you Ask the Performance Team : Troubleshooting a Windows Installer Issue

Also can try to Login under Windows Build -in Administrator login under that account then try to install it

 

[Chaurigol]

According to Log it show about permissions which Windows 7 is quiet famous for that. I found something that might helpful for you Ask the Performance Team : Troubleshooting a Windows Installer Issue

Also can try to Login under Windows Build -in Administrator login under that account then try to install it

Thanks, I read the full article and checked the registry permissions. It all seems fine, System and Admin have full control over the registry.

Regarding Process Monitor, I downloaded and opened it, applied the filter in order to monitor only msiexec.exe activity and tried to install the *.msi once again. I saved the log file in case you or somebody else wants to have a look at it.

Appart from that, can't think of anything else to extract from that article.

Thanks once again for your concern.

Edit: Just tried enabling the Administrator account and executing the *.msi from it, but no luck at all, same error message.

 

[aem]

Could it be a corrupt .msi that you are trying to install?

I can't make out what the error is from your first post. Can you screen shot the error?

 

[Chaurigol]

Here it is:

I would discard the corrupt installer, because I've tried others too.

 

[aem]

See if this can help

[Windows 7] Windows Installer has stopped working - dslreports.com

 

[Chaurigol]

See if this can help

[Windows 7] Windows Installer has stopped working - dslreports.com

Thanks for the suggestion, but already tried that. Nothing changed after disabling CEIP, and the DisabledSessions value is empty in my registry, so no MachineThrottling key whatsoever.

 

[Chaurigol]

I'm thinking about trying Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, but I obviously can't install it (*.msi file). I looked for a portable version on the net, but the available one doesn't seem to work. Can anyone please post a working portable version?

Any other suggestions?

Running out of hope...

 

[SIW2]

You could try a Repair Install

 

[Chaurigol]

Thanks for your suggestion SIW2, didn't know about this procedure. My doubt is, what happens to the install software and all other customizations you might have? Does it affect only Windows components?

 

[SIW2]

It won't affect your data or installed programs. It will affect windows updates, and possibly drivers . Also windows settings will be reset to default.

The tutorial lists what will be affected. For most people , it's no bother.

 

[Chaurigol]

I just tried the "Repair Install", it was all going fine until the last reboot, where I got a BSOD. Afterwards, it told me that the upgrade had failed and started reverting the changes...

So I guess it's another one down

 

[Chaurigol]

Guys, I've continued looking for a solution and I read somewhere that the problem might be in a corrupt .NET Framework installation. I found this tool: .NET Framework Setup Verification Tool.

.NET Framework 2.0 SP2: verification succeded.
.NET Framework 3.0 SP2: verification failed (log attached).
.NET Framework 3.5 SP1: verification failed (log attached).

Now the problem is, I obviously can't reinstall .NET Framework because MSI is faulty. Any ideas?