Can't Open Certain .EXE Files In Windows 7

[kdar]

I seem to be having a problem where I can't seem to open certain .exe files that I've downloaded. For e.g. Samsung Kies, SPSS Statistics.

InstallShield Wizard will just hang and not do anything.

I tried doing Right-Clicking and "Run as Administrator" but it doesn't do anything.
I have tried opening the .exe in SAFE mode. But I just got "Error 1719. Windows Installer could not be accessed."

I've tried re-registering Windows Installer and followed the instructions to this link: (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346) but I'm still having problems with opening these .exe files.

I've done antivirus/malware/infection scans, and there is nothing wrong with my laptop.

I don't really understand what is wrong.
When going on Windows Task Manager, I can see in the Processes tab that the software is there, but it's not doing anything.

Would love to hear from anyone who has any advice on what to do! This is driving me crazy.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mike Connor]

OK. First of all, just to make sure, download and run this;

Malwarebytes

Run a full scan please, and then post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[unifex]

Do you have this problem with installing software in general or just these apps? Just to be sure, can you download some other program, something that's known to be safe and working nicely on Windows 7, e.g. VLC player or something like that and install it?

If you can install other software, then the problem is with these particular apps, what you can do it do make sure you meet the minimum requirements.

If you can't install anything at all, then maybe your Windows Installer is corrupted. Try these instructions and let us know if this fixes your problem.

 

[Orbital Shark]

You may want to try running the installer in Compatibility Mode for Vista or even XP. I've had similar issues with installers hanging and CM seems to work for me.

Additional:

Are you running 32 or 64Bit? If 64Bit you may need to Disable Driver Sinature Enforcement using the Advanced Boot Options.


OS

 

[kdar]

I just installed MalwareBytes as suggested, and it installed perfectly fine. But every time when I tried to run the scan, it suddenly stopped responding. I don't know whether this is related to anything?
It appears to only be happening to certain/if not most software that I have recently tried installing because I already have VLC player, and that works fine.
I tried installing Trend Micro Housecall.exe and that seems to be working fine (and found no threats by the way).

My laptop fits the system requirements for the software that is not working, so I don't really understand what the problem is.

Will try the Windows Installer instructions and get back to you.

 

[kdar]

I am running on a 64-bit system.
I just tried the instructions on this link about fixing a corrupted Windows Installer, but access was denied when I entered the commands in the script...

 

[Layback Bear]

Filling in the rest of your specs might help.

 

[kdar]

Laptop: Sony Vaio E Series
Windows Edition:Windows 7 Home Premium

System:
Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM) i5 CPU M450 @ 2.40GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 4.00GB (3.86 GB usable)
System type: 64-bit Operating System

 

[Golden]

Hi,

I wonder if there is an issue with the integrity of the system files? Can you please run the following commands from an elevated CMD prompt, and post the results here:

winsat features

and also

sfc /scannow

To open a an elevated cmd prompt, do this:

1. Click Start Orb, and in the search box type cmd
2. Right click on cmd, and choose "Run as administrator"
3. The elevated cmd window will now open.

Regards,
Golden

 

[kdar]

Attached is the print screen shot of the results of the command script.

 

[unifex]

When you ran the commands to replace the Windows Installer, did you run them from the elevated prompt? If that makes no difference, check the permissions on the files in question, make sure you have permissions to edit the files and write to folders they are in.

 

[kdar]

Even when I run it under elevated prompt, access is still denied.
How do I check the permissions on the file to allow myself to edit the files?

 

[kdar]

Does anyone else have any advise?

 

[unifex]

Even when I run it under elevated prompt, access is still denied.
How do I check the permissions on the file to allow myself to edit the files?

Navigate to the folder the files are in. Enable hidden files (Folder Options -> View -> untick Hide protected system files and tick Show hidden files). Right-click on the file in question, choose Properties -> Security. This will show you the list of permissions. To change permissions you have to be running an account with administrative rights, i.e. an account that belongs to the Administrators group. If you're running the account that was created during Windows install, you're ok.

If you see your account in the list, then click Edit and add the missing permissions. Otherwise, you need to click Advanced -> Change Permissions -> Add and add your account to the list. Sometimes this won't work. This is because you are not the "owner" of the files and the "owner" did not give you permissions.

As an example, let's look at the first file in those instructions, msi.dll. The owner of this file is "TrustedInstaller". So, you will have to take ownership in order to change permissions. Thus in the Advanced window you click the Owner tab and click Edit. Another Window pops up and you have a choice of changing ownership to yourself or the Administrators group. Since you're about to get rid of this file, choose yourself. Click Apply, close all tabs and popped up windows, go to the security tab in file properties again and repeat the above procedure to add yourself to the list. Once on the list, give yourself full access in the Change Permissions window.

now you have all permissions to do what you want - namely, rename the file. Once this is done, do the same to the other files and go ahead to download and install Windows Installer.

 

[kdar]

Does anyone know where Windows Installer 5.0 can be downloaded? I can't seem to find it.

 

[Mike Connor]

Does anyone know where Windows Installer 5.0 can be downloaded? I can't seem to find it.

As far as I am aware it is not available as a separate downloadable package.

It is part of the Windows 7 operating system.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[kdar]

Well now I'm in deep trouble because I followed the instructions to this (How to Fix a Corrupted Windows Installer | eHow.com) and now I don't have msi.dll and other files.

Stupidly forgot to backup.

Anyone can help me on getting it back!?

 

[Mike Connor]

The only safe way to get it back is to re-install windows. The most recent Installer download as a package is 4.5 and that wont work on Windows 7.

I suppose it would be possible to copy the relevant files from another installation, but I have not tried it, and I would not rely on it.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[kdar]

Anyone who has ideas & can help me getting back msihnd.dll, msiexec.exe & msi.dll would be much appreciated!
Since I'm now having problems with opening everything

 

[Mike Connor]

Anyone who has ideas & can help me getting back msihnd.dll, msiexec.exe & msi.dll would be much appreciated!
Since I'm now having problems with opening everything

Why can't you run a restore, a repair-install, or a re-install?

Regards....Mike Connor