Fix Windows Update, corrupt file in C:\Windows\Installer

[marsmimar]

Here's a pretty good guide for Repair Installs. It would hurt to give it a go as user settings, personal files, etc won't be touched.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

The warning on that thread says that I cannot do a repair install using an OEM created Win7 disk. Does this mean I'm SOL?

Unfortunately, you wouldn't be able to do a repair install using that type of recovery disc. If you know someone who has the exact same operating system, and if they have a retail version disc, you could use their disc for the repair install. But it must be identical to your OS. Same version, same bitness (32 bit or 64 bit.) Otherwise you'll be limited to a clean install. (Which might also be possible if you have a hidden recovery partition on the hard drive provided by the manufacturer.)

FWIW, sometimes a clean install is the best route to take even though it'll take more time to reinstall other programs, apps, etc and configure the computer to your liking. But you'd be dealing with an absolutely clean operating system and all Windows Updates should go smoothly if you install just a few at a time rather than all at once. Also, once the machine is set up exactly the way you want, it would be a good idea to create a system image and update that image every week or two. If anything ever happens you could restore your machine from the latest system image in about 30 minutes or less. Just something to consider.

 

[StupidUser]

OK, I found all the disks that came with my current PC (the Windows and Office distros) in the middle of my living room in a 'to-do' pile - and no, I'm not that messy.

So, instead of doing a clean install, I tried an Office Repair as directed earlier in this thread:
1. Opened Control Panel - Uninstall Programs
2. Clicked on Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies - Repair
3. It asks me for the 'Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies' disk. My disk is labeled 'Microsoft Office Basic 2007 with Office Professional 2007 Trial', but I'm sure it's the right disk.

I insert that disk. Sometimes it starts Setup.exe, which I cancel. Sometimes Microsoft Office Bootstrapper asks me for permission to change the computer, which I deny.

Next, I click OK in the dialog box (the one asking me for the MS Office Assemblies CD), and get this warning:

The path 'Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies' cannot be found. Verify that you have access to this location and try again, or try to find the installation package 'PIARRedist.MSI' in a folder from whcih you can install the product Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies

I have access to the CD. File PIARRedist.MSI is not on the disk (assuming I searched correctly - which is a kind of iffy assumption).

I also tried letting the autorun execute Setup.exe, but then I get 'Setup has stopped working' and have to close the program.

Can anyone advise how to correctly Repair MS Powerpoint and Office?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[marsmimar]

Hello Jeff -

I've referred your latest question to another Forum member (an expert in all things Office.) Hopefully a reply will be posted shortly.

 

[Irene]

Hi Jeff

Just been reading through your thread.
Forgive me for being a little dense, but could you please clarify exactly which versions of MS Office you are using and whether they are simply 'trial' installations.

When you go to the Control Panel, can you see "Microsoft Office ????? 2007" (the ????? representing Basic, Enterprise etc.)

Have you at any time installed Visual Studio?