Cannot access Windows Installer - can't reinstall

[ehwj]

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

Hope this works. Not used to this forum and have way too many Firefox windows open. Lost the first attempt to reply so hope this is not a duplicate and that you get the file.

 

[ehwj]

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
-

Thanks, Bill.
I have a blank CD-R.
The most recent restore point (other than one made earlier today) is from Nov. 2011.
I lost my 3rd party backup software - one of the files that no longer work. Could you please advise best way to perform backup you want to do. Thanks.

 

[Slartybart]

Yeah, that screen shot will do. Disk 5 is low in the shot, but I don't I'll need it.

Take your time, yours is a difficult issue and there will be all kinds of things coming your way.

Make sure everyone hears you if you say slow down

say Please SLOW DOWN I'm still trying to figure out XYZ.

It can get hectic, but this is your thread and your machine. We're all just the volunteer help.

It is important that you provide feedback - you're the eyes and hands over there. We can't see what you see and we don't know if you completed something or what the results of that action are, unless you tell us. It's better if you get into a routine of posting results so someone doesn't have to ask. Cool?

Screen shots are good, and you've mastered that already!

 

[ehwj]

Did you notice the last part of my last post. I lost my 3rd party backup software - one of the files that I lost. Can you please advise how to perform backup you suggested I run. Thanks

 

[Slartybart]

See that, while I was tpyng you provided great feedback.

Nov 2011? Can you check that again - post a screen shot of step 8.

I'll look for a tutorial on copying user data. There are a number of tutorials on backup, but your options are limited by the installer issue.

Bill
-

 

[Slartybart]

Yep, I saw your post, I was typing and I don't type that fast. Fixing the typos takes a bit of time too.

There might be times when I'm helping some one else or having dinner. To keep the cross posting down to a minimum, we should wait for a response from each other. If we chat too much, the thread gets long and loses focus.

Ok?
(you don't have to post Ok! I'll just assume that's alright with you )

 

[derekimo]

It looks like you are going with the re-install, just curious if you checked this out yet though?

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]

See that, while I was tpyng you provided great feedback.

Nov 2011? Can you check that again - post a screen shot of step 8.

I'll look for a tutorial on copying user data. There are a number of tutorials on backup, but your options are limited by the installer issue.

Bill
-

The 1/24/14 point was after the problem arose. I would swear there were more recent restore points but none show up.

 

[derekimo]

Try checking the box to show more restore points.

 

[ehwj]

Did that. the screen shot cut off the checkmark in the box.

 

[Slartybart]

There's only one automatic Restore Point from 2 days ago, the 2011's are backup and today's was a manual. That's too bad, it would have been nice to have one from a month or two ago.

Ok, I'm still looking for a tutorial on the copy files backup best practices - found lots on Windows backup and otehr 3rd party backups / imaging. I'll look a bit longer, ask some folks around here.

Is there any chance you have ~4 blank DVD-Rs? I'd like you to make the Lenovo Recovery disc set. That's always good to have too. If you made a set earlier, let me know and you won't have to try again (usually only one set per machine). Now the trick is to find the correct instructions, when I searched earlier I found old (diskette) and new instructions (Win8).

Look around in start menu, see if there's a shortcut in there re: making recovery media, maybe in a Lenovo folder.

In the meantime - can you make a Repair disc? - they're always good to have anyway.

I posted the tutorial back in this post. We can forget about System Protection restore points for the moment.


Thanks,

Bill
-

 

[ehwj]

There's only one automatic Restore Point from 2 days ago, the 2011's are backup and today's was a manual. That's too bad, it would have been nice to have one from a month or two ago.
Ok, I'm still looking for a tutorial on the copy files backup best practices - found lots on Windows backup and otehr 3rd party backups / imaging. I'll look a bit longer, ask some folks around here.
Is there any chance you have ~4 blank DVD-Rs? I'd like you to make the Lenovo Recovery disc set. That's always good to have too. If you made a set earlier, let me know and you won't have to try again (usually only one set per machine). Now the trick is to find the correct instructions, when I searched earlier I found old (diskette) and new instructions (Win8).
Look around in start menu, see if there's a shortcut in there re: making recovery media, maybe in a Lenovo folder.
In the meantime - can you make a Repair disc? - they're always good to have anyway.
I posted the tutorial back in this post. We can forget about System Protection restore points for the moment.
Thanks,
Bill
-

I'll ask the forum in a new thread.

I can have DVD+R discs within the hour

I found a repair disc I created some time back. I can make a new disc if you think it wise. I also found a Lenovo disk containing Lenovo drivers.
Also found a Win7 64bit Home Premium on a DVD+R disc although I'm not sure of its source. But I understand to use would wipe all of the C:\ drive, so let's keep that for the last resort.

 

[Slartybart]

I'll ask the forum in a new thread. About backup?

Ok, DVD-Rs are on the way. You only need four or five (my HP made a set of 4)

Oh wait hold on.. You already have OEM disc?

You don't need to make another if that is what they are.

No.... one Repair disc is all that will fit in the drive - we'll test that disc, you might have to make another if it doesn't read .

 

[ehwj]

I'll ask the forum in a new thread. About backup?

Ok, DVD-Rs are on the way. You only need four or five (my HP made a set of 4)

Oh wait hold on.. You already have OEM disc?

You don't need to make another if that is what they are.

No.... one Repair disc is all that will fit in the drive - we'll test that disc, you might have to make another if it doesn't read .

Yes, new thread about backup. I did find a tutorial on using the Win7 backup software. I'm going to run that. It also creates a system image. I don't know if that will be useful but if it is it will exist.

Go ahead and send the DVD-Rs. I'm really not sure of source of the win7 copy I have. I'd like to have yours - if it is not too much trouble.

I'll be back after a quick trip to BestBuy for the DVD discs.

 

[Slartybart]

I'm sorry, it does read that way doesn't it. I didn't mean I was sending you discs
I was responding to your getting DVD-R within the hour

But, you can get offical Win7 install media if you have a machine you can use to create a bootable flash drive or DVD

You can't use your, the installer isn't working - the procerss requires other utilies to put Win7 on the flash or DVD.

If you already have all of the discs, that's good news.

(1) repair disc
(1) Lenovo drivers disk
(1) Win7 HP x64 (DVD+R disc) - unsure of source
>> Do you recall going through the process to make it? It might have been on a new machine checklist.

How about a 4GB flash drive?

How about a friend with a Win7 x64 machine - we can get official Win7 install media, but without an installer your system can't put it on a flash drive or disc. The utilities can't be installed on your machine to create the media (different than just burning) , but if a friend has the same bit depth (x64) you could create the media there.

Both machines must be x64.

Hold on come back....

 

[gregrocker]

Still waiting for a response to Derek's post to finish troubleshooting the Windows Installer service. There may be confusion because the Windows Installer is a service used to install and uninstall programs, instead of what's used to reinstall Windows.

If that doesn't work then you can look over these steps which provide everything needed to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 including all backup Best Practices.

It looks like you are going with the re-install, just curious if you checked this out yet though?

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]

Still waiting for a response to Derek's post to finish troubleshooting the Windows Installer service. There may be confusion that the Windows Installer is what's used to reinstall Windows, instead of a service used to install and uninstall programs.

If that doesn't work then you can look over these steps which provide everything needed to get and keep a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 including all backup Best Practices.

It looks like you are going with the re-install, just curious if you checked this out yet though?

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

Hi gregrocker --- was the above intended for me?? Don't know anything about thread being hijacked. I started this thread from scratch. Also I know what the Windows Installer is for, but you are correct -- it is not used to install Windows. Also know the very last thing I want to do is do a clean reinstall. Also we are running out of ways to reinstall windows installer. Or at least all the ideas that Slartybart and others have suggested. That is why we are now concentrating on ways to do a repair rather than clean install.
Bottom line - I guess I don't know what you are trying to tell me so I may have missed the point of your post.

 

[gregrocker]

I wanted to make sure everyone in the thread understood the difference, that's all. There seemed to be a rush to reinstall when the Win7 installer service is reparable if all steps are completed.

Now for the fourth time will you please answer Derek's question?

 

[ehwj]

I'm sorry, it does read that way doesn't it. I didn't mean I was sending you discs
I was responding to your getting DVD-R within the hour

But, you can get offical Win7 install media if you have a machine you can use to create a bootable flash drive or DVD

You can't use your, the installer isn't working - the procerss requires other utilies to put Win7 on the flash or DVD.

If you already have all of the discs, that's good news.

(1) repair disc
(1) Lenovo drivers disk
(1) Win7 HP x64 (DVD+R disc) - unsure of source
>> Do you recall going through the process to make it? It might have been on a new machine checklist.

How about a 4GB flash drive?

How about a friend with a Win7 x64 machine - we can get official Win7 install media, but without an installer your system can't put it on a flash drive or disc. The utilities can't be installed on your machine to create the media (different than just burning) , but if a friend has the same bit depth (x64) you could create the media there.

Both machines must be x64.

Hold on come back....

Ha! Actually Andrew had mentioned earlier in this thread that "we can download the official links for windows 7 and get you a burned cd with a legit windows 7." This I took to mean I would be using DVD-Rs in that process. So when you mentioned you were sending me the info to create the info to burn the cd with legitiment win7. Anyway have have the discs.

As far as making the copy of Win7 It's a DVD and I've never burned a DVD so I'm sure I didn't make it. Without going into a lot of detail it was either given to me by a computer repair person in which it is surely OK or it was given to me by another individual and if it were from him I'm pretty sure it is NOT legitimate. I think it is legit.

Yes I have a 4GB flash drive, but I don't have access to another Win7 machine.

 

[Slartybart]

given to me by a computer repair person in which it is surely OK - Not always, lots of members come here after visiting a shop and they have to install a legit OS.

Ok, Derek and Greg want to be sure that the Windows_Installer.reg in post# 12 actually did something. I was confused too, but thought it worked.

The easiest way is to try to merge the file again.
Find the Windows_Installer.reg file you downloaded
Right click on Windows_Installer.reg
Select merge from teh alt menu
answer yes

If there is no merge on the menu you'll have to fix that, but please try the merge again