Solved MSE corrupted

[stevieray]

My Microsoft Security Essentials has become corrupted. It cannot install updates, it can't be uninstalled 'cause it can't find one of its files, and Revo Uninstaller doesn't even list it as being on my system. It may have been corrupted ever since my last Repair Install last week, so restore points are probably not an option...

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[richc46]

My Microsoft Security Essentials has become corrupted. It cannot install updates, it can't be uninstalled 'cause it can't find one of its files, and Revo Uninstaller doesn't even list it as being on my system. It may have been corrupted ever since my last Repair Install last week, so restore points are probably not an option...

Any ideas? Thanks!

How about system image? Possibly one was made since the problem?

Edit: How about trying to reinstall?

 

[Uber Philf]

It's a long shot, but tried to reinstall over it?

Does the installer have a Repair option like WLE?

 

[stevieray]

Tried that already. Unfortunately, it tells me to uninstall the original version before installing the new... and there is no repair option listed. But a good try! Thanks! Points for you!

 

[richc46]

Go to search look for MSE and manually delete everything you can find, then reinstall.

 

[Uber Philf]

Go to search look for MSE and manually delete everything you can find, then reinstall.

And try do a quick sweep of the Registry manually, just to make sure if you try and install it, it wont try and refer to a file in the registry to see if its already installed.

 

[richc46]

What do you think will happen, if you change the name of MSE, put it in a folder and then try to delete?

 

[stevieray]

Ain't this grand! I replaced MSE from my backup using Acronis, now I have no internet access at all. (I'm using my laptop to write this.) I am getting seriously pissed off.

I have had nothing but trouble with this installation. The RC7100 was great, this release is a dog.

First the Event viewer went down, then the installer crapped out. Now MSE is corrupted. I'm sick to death of Repair Installs and restore points. I'm gonna do a clean install, and that better clear up every single issue permanently.

Later guys... I'm off to waste a couple of evenings reinstalling everything. I'm not going to keep chasing bugs around this installation.

 

[Uber Philf]

Did you do a clean install in the first place? and Good luck.

 

[stevieray]

Did you do a clean install in the first place? and Good luck.

Yes, a clean install from x7100 to x7600 back in October.

 

[Uber Philf]

Hmm, lets hope your new install is trouble free.

Good Luck mate.

 

[logicearth]

What ever you did that caused you to do a repair installation in the first place is probably what is causing you grief now. So what exactly has happened?

 

[Saltgrass]

it can't be uninstalled 'cause it can't find one of its files,

Is there a story behind this? Do you know which one?

Have you tried uninstalling in Safe Mode?

Is there a backup folder in the MSE Program Files Folder, have you looked into using that in some way?

 

[stevieray]

What ever you did that caused you to do a repair installation in the first place is probably what is causing you grief now. So what exactly has happened?

That's just it... I did nothing. About three weeks ago, the Event Viewer just stopped working. After futzing around with sfc/scannow and restoring files from Acronis archive, none of which worked, I had to do a repair install. It still works to this day.

Everything was fine for a week or so, then Windows Installer crapped out. I couldn't install/uninstall any programs. That led to a second repair install. Now I can install/uninstall programs with no problem.

That lasted another week, and now MSE is corrupted and cannot update or find all of its own files. Each of these problems get fixed by the Repair Install, but a new one pops up every week.

I checked for viruses/spyware... both Malwarebytes and Superantispyware come up clean.

I had none of these problems with the RC, which I ran from its release in May until the 7600 was released in October, and I'm not "doing" anything different with my system than I did back then.

If you can think of anything to try instead of a clean install, well, I'm all ears! I just refuse to chase these annoying little bugs week after week... I want a stable, problem-free install like I had under the x7100.

 

[stevieray]

it can't be uninstalled 'cause it can't find one of its files,

Is there a story behind this? Do you know which one?

Have you tried uninstalling in Safe Mode?

Is there a backup folder in the MSE Program Files Folder, have you looked into using that in some way?

Ooh, I forgot to try safe mode. That's what happens when I try to fix things when I'm steamed! I'll try it now.

Edit: MSE won't run in Safe Mode, probably a fail-safe mechanism of some kind.

The file it can't find is "msse.msi". I did a full computer search for it, but it doesn't show up.

 

[Uber Philf]

it can't be uninstalled 'cause it can't find one of its files,

Is there a story behind this? Do you know which one?

Have you tried uninstalling in Safe Mode?

Is there a backup folder in the MSE Program Files Folder, have you looked into using that in some way?

Ooh, I forgot to try safe mode. That's what happens when I try to fix things when I'm steamed! I'll try it now.

The file it can't find is "msse.msi". I did a full computer search for it, but it doesn't show up.

Sounds like its trying to repair itself, that file is extracted from the original installer into your temp files, that installs MSE onto your PC.

I think you should be able to extract "msse.msi" into a folder on the desktop, then when it asks for the the file, point it to the file in the folder in the desktop.

And HOPEFULLY that should solve your problem with MSE.

 

[Caveat]

Take a look here Fix MSE Utility - Repair Microsoft Security Essentials | The Windows Club

 

[stevieray]

Take a look here Fix MSE Utility - Repair Microsoft Security Essentials | The Windows Club

I'll give that a try if I ever get internet access back. Thanks!

 

[stevieray]

The file it can't find is "msse.msi". I did a full computer search for it, but it doesn't show up.

Sounds like its trying to repair itself, that file is extracted from the original installer into your temp files, that installs MSE onto your PC.

I think you should be able to extract "msse.msi" into a folder on the desktop, then when it asks for the the file, point it to the file in the folder in the desktop.

And HOPEFULLY that should solve your problem with MSE.

Maybe I can find that file in my C drive backup. I'll check it when the stinkin' Restore is done running.

 

[Jacee]

MSE won't run unless you have a legal OS ... if your OS is legal, then you might need to call Microsoft to get your key validated.