Windows Installer failures

The problem is described here: Adobe Forums: Windows Installation Failure.

Windows Installer can not finish the installation of applications (tried Adobe Lightroom 3 beta 2, MS ICE) and important updates.
It looks that installation fails only when it requires administrative rights (for example, Seesmic for Windows installed successfully). All the files copy to destination folders, some registry values go where they should, and on the final stage installer stands still for several minutes and gives an error (see the link above for an example). Then it can not roll back until I restart the computer.

Also, some updates fail to install (kb977165, for example). Windows Update says that they install correctly, but suggests to install it again.
Another bug: list of installed updates (Windows Update) is not empty, but if I want to uninstall an update, I can't because this list is empty.
Some updates install successfully (for MS Security Essentials, for example).

I think there is one reason for all of that bugs and already tried to uninstall some programs but with no result.

Have you checked "Uninstall" in Control Panel to see if the programs are installed?

Yep.
1. I run the install file. Windows asks permission (UAC window), I grant it.
2. Setup actually installs the program but in the end becomes still (it does not hang) for several minutes. If I go to “Uninstall”, I see that program is installed. I can run it and it will work perfectly.
3. After several minutes some timeout in the installer interrupts the install progress, and an error window appears. All I can do is to press “ok”.
4. Installer tries to roll back the installation (it actually does that —*deletes files, folders, shortcuts and registry entries), but in the end hangs. If I kill it, Windows Installer will not run again until restart (it says that some installation is in progress).

wallyinnc said:

I think you refer to the web Windows update when you say the list is empty? I didn't quite understand that part

Nope, I referred to local lists of installed updates.
1. Windows Update → Updates history. This one is ok, lots of updates successfully installed.
2. Uninstall a program → Installed Updates. This one is empty but it should be full of updates. Something wrong here.

And the list of updates suggested for installation is empty (I install almost every update, so this is normal).

wallyinnc said:

Tks PV

I still think you might have corrupted system files or even the MSI (Microsoft Windows Installer). A repair install might solve it. Did you install from DVD or did you download it?

Before you go for that surgery, let's try some bandages. I suggest you do 2 things:

1) Disable any anti virus program you are using and try to install the program again, see if it still hangs and rolls back

2) If it does, check the Resources Monitor for what application is hanging it, if it is not the Installer itself: Resource Monitor - Troubleshoot Unresponsive Program

1. I’ve done it before I posted the message. No result.
2. I think you misunderstood me. The installer does not hang. It responds and does not eat abnormal amounts of resources. Still, I shall try to use Resources Monitor.

Tried to use Resource Monitor.
msiexec.exe that is invoked with a launch of setup file depends only on Windows Installer service (msiexec.exe launched by services.exe). Ending the last one causes setup program to end installation.

Sometimes services.exe invokes TrustedInstaller.exe but only for a second (it ends in a moment).