The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed

Windows 7/64 HP Sp1 - I was brought 2 systems today with the above error, ie unable to install or uninstall software. Both system use different AV (McAfee in one case and AVG in the other). I have not seen this error on Win 7 before, then 2 come in a row!

In the first case the client had tried to restore the system without success. I tried to restore further back but was rewarded with a bsod 6B - system repair fixed that. I tried all 4 suggestions from MS - as per
Windows 7/64 HP Sp1 - I was brought 2 systems today with the above error, ie unable to install or uninstall software. Both system use different AV (McAfee in one case and AVG in the other). I have not seen this error on Win 7 before, then 2 come in a row!

In the first case the client had tried to restore the system without success. I tried to restore further back but was rewarded with a bsod 6B - system repair fixed that. I tried all 4 suggestions from MS - as per http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2642495 - none resolved the problem - in fact the Windows Installer service is set to auto and was started. Chkdsk c:/r reported no errors, neither did SFC /scannow. Virus scan did show one filre on the D drive which was removed (Combofix).

The second system (from a different source) was brought to me with a BSOD 50; system repair fixed that, but otherwise diagnostics are as per the other system.

Having two systems with the same error implies to me a rogue Windows update?

Apart from a full system re-install. does anyone had success with a different solution?

andrew129260 said:

Try this link here, and re-download the windows installer service
Services - Restore Default Services in Windows 7

Also try this here:
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker


SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

Andrew, Thank you for your input, however regret no success.

Specifics: Prior to merging the Windows Installer Service, the service was auto/started; after the merge it was manual/stopped. I changed the settings to auto/started and rebooted. I checked the settings were as set prior to the reboot. I tried to uninstall again but received the same message as per the title.

Re:SFC /scannow: I had already run this as previously stated - it reported no corrupt files.

So no joy I'm afraid. Any more ideas please?

Thanks again Andrew for your suggestions....and support. These are not new systems, they belong to unrelated third parties who gave them to me to sort out.

Good to know that I'm not missing a trick, but for giggles will remove the AV - can't use the standard uninstall procedure of course, but use AVG/McAfee removal progs to see what happens....

andrew129260 said:

You may encounter this error message when one of the following is true:

•The Windows Installer files on the system are either missing or corrupt.
•You are trying to install a program, such as Microsoft Office that uses the Windows Installer Microsoft Software Installation (MSI) package file that has the file name extension .msi.

You can resolve the error 1719 by using the methods discussed below:

Method 1:
Start the Windows Installer service
1. Click Start, type Services.msc and press {ENTER}
2. Double-click Windows Installer
3. Set the Startup type of Windows Installer to Manual
4. Click Start to start the service. Note down the error message if any.
5. Click OK.

Method 2: Unregister and re-register the Windows Installer to do that follow the steps provided below.

1. Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /UNREGISTER, and then click OK. Even if you
do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs.
2. Click Start, click Run, type MSIEXEC /REGSERVER, and then click OK. Even if you
do this correctly, it may look like nothing occurs, or you may briefly see an hourglass.
After you run this command, the operation is complete.
3. Try your Windows Installer-based application again.

Hi Andrew, I went away for the w/e, took the lappie with me only to find that the charger was u/s!

Anyway in short I tried both yr suggestions without any success. I used the AVG removal utility to uninstall the AV. I also tried the unregister & register suggestion.

Sounds to me that the only suggestion is a repair or full reinstall. Trying to find the actual culprit may not be time productive.

Thank you so much for your suggestions and support.

Hello.

I've faced the same problem, and the solution was very strange. I've missed msiexec.exe at %windir%/SysWOW64 path, so all upper solutions have no results. Will try to find how could I get this file missing.

Hi Andrea :) i have same Problem , i cannot install Google Earth because of Windows Service Installer Error, And also when i go to Start, Right click computer Properties, and it shows '' This page failed to load '' i cant see my ID Number or Product Info. i try all above methods but no luck, i spend 8 Days online help, but nothing, even i tried Register/ Unregister option, nothing, Please help if u can, Thank you