Windows Vista updates fail to load and I receive an error message

Customer Question

Windows Vista updates fail to load and I receive an error message that Windows Installer cannot be accessed.

Optional Information:
Computer OS: Windows Vista
Browser: IE

Already Tried:
Rebooting, Tried a few system restore points but Restore encounters an error also an is unable to roll back to a prior date.

Submitted: 363 days and 14 hours ago.

Category: Software

Value: $38

Status: CLOSED

Expert: miketaylor2008 replied 363 days and 14 hours ago.

TaylorTech :

Hiya, My name is XXXX XXX I've been repairing and upgrading computers for over 10 years, I will help you to the best of my ability.

TaylorTech :

Let's try starting the Windows Installer service and see if that helps, but let me know if it says its already started.

Click Start orb
Right-click Computer, and then click Manage.
If you are prompted for an administrator password XX for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
In the console tree, click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
In the details pane, right-click Windows Installer, and then click Start.

Customer :

Windows Installer is not in the list of programs in the details pane.

Customer :

That may be the issue!

Customer :

I assume that you may be able to advise on how to restore Windows Installer?

TaylorTech :

Hi im back sorry

TaylorTech :

On moment while I review this

TaylorTech :

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=8483

TaylorTech :

Ok sorry took me a minute to find this

TaylorTech :

This is where you need to download the windows installer from

TaylorTech :

If you go down to instructions it will explain a little more

Customer :

I used the link now I need to make sure that I download the correct file...

Customer :

Is x64 Platform: Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu the correct one for Vista?

TaylorTech :

x86 Platform: Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x86.msu
x64 Platform: Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu
IA64 Platform: Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-ia64.msu

Customer :

Okay so I should down all three of them, correct?

TaylorTech :

No, click start

TaylorTech :

Go to control panel

TaylorTech :

System and Maintenance

TaylorTech :

then select system

TaylorTech :

What does it say under system type?

Customer :

Windows Vista Home Premium, Service Pack 2, 64 Bit OS,

TaylorTech :

x64 Platform: Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu

TaylorTech :

Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu

2.9 MB

Customer :

Okay good, I will proceed to down load Windows6.0-KB942288-v2-x64.msu 2.9 MB only right?

TaylorTech :

yes please

TaylorTech :

Im very sorry for the delay in responses

Customer :

I received a message that the update does not apply to my system.

TaylorTech :

Thats odd

TaylorTech :

try the next one down

Customer :

okay

Customer :

Received the same message that it doesn't apply to my system.

TaylorTech :

Ok thats weird, cause it does

TaylorTech :

One moment please

TaylorTech :

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=20555

TaylorTech :

Try this one instead

Customer :

okay

TaylorTech :

Is it downloading this time?

Customer :

I downloaded it ... I'll go see if it shows up in the detail pane now.

Customer :

Windows Installer is still not listed in the detail pane.

Customer :

Do you want me to try an download the windows updates to see if it workds?

TaylorTech :

Yes lets download all updates

TaylorTech :

It should fix that automatically but we will see

Customer :

in process now.

TaylorTech :

ok thanks

Customer :

All seven failed again.

Customer :

The codes given are 80070641 and 641

Customer :

I jst went through the dowmload process again from the last link you provided and received the message that it doesn't apply to my system.

TaylorTech :

oh dear, allow me a moment to think on this

Customer :

Okay, do think a restart may activate it?

TaylorTech :

Im going to open this question up to other experts while I think about this some more, if no other expert come in to help you I will be back with an answer.

TaylorTech :

We can certainly try that

TaylorTech :

Lets try and see what happens

TaylorTech :

I will stay here

Customer :

Okay, will do.

TaylorTech :

Save this page to your favorites for me so you can get back

TaylorTech :

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=2698

TaylorTech :

Please download this tool if you come back and the installer doesnt work

TaylorTech :

Installation errors caused due to incorrect patch registration may be corrected using this tool.

Customer :

Okay, the restart didn't help. I'll save the link to my favorites.

Customer :

Which file should I download?

TaylorTech :

x64

Customer :

okay

TaylorTech :

I am hoping this helps

TaylorTech :

After that I am going to open this up for another expert to look at if this fails as well

TaylorTech :

I will await your reply

Customer :

Downloaded, I have what I'll call a system window that appeared saying a product code must be specified and press any key to exit. I exited it.

TaylorTech :

yeah needs to validate your windows is genuine

Customer :

It is ... It came preloaded on my Dell

TaylorTech :

ok

TaylorTech :

So it wont open either

Customer :

Not sure what you mean?

TaylorTech :

the program we just downloaded to fix things

TaylorTech :

Didnt do anything?

Customer :

nope, nothing

TaylorTech :

Ok, i will opt out of this question, I am not feeling very good which does not help me think very clearly. Hopefully the next expert can get this squared away for you

TaylorTech :

Sorry :-(

Customer :

Sorry, Hope you feel better ... should I just standby?

Customer :

Still waiting

Expert: jinsmn replied 363 days and 12 hours ago.

Hi, welcome to justanswer. I am Jins here to assist you. Please try a system restore from command prompt.

You can use the following procedure to access System Restore from command prompt:

Restart the computer. As the computer restarts, press the F8 key, and then choose Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the menu options.
At the command prompt, type the following commands:
wmic
/namespace:\\root\default
path systemrestore get
You will see a screen similar to this (note the latest Sequence Numbers):
Type the following command, replacing <SequenceNumber> with a number you obtained in the previous step. Typically you will select one of the latest numbers on the list, however you may want to select one that corresponds to a certain action. In this example, we chose to restore back to the point where Microsoft Office 2003 was installed.
path systemrestore call restore <SequenceNumber>
Press the Y key at the prompt to restore the computer.
A response is given indicating that the execution was successful.
Type this command to exit WMIC: exit. Press the ENTER key.
Restart the computer. After the computer returns to Windows, in the System Restore dialog box, click Close.

Regards

Jins

Please ACCEPT My Solution If It Helped ..

POSITIVE Feedback And A BONUS Are Always Appreciated ..

PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING A NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

Customer replied 363 days and 12 hours ago.

Okay, I printed your instructions and will start NOw.

Expert: jinsmn replied 363 days and 12 hours ago.

Okay, take your own time and reply me the result.

Regards
Jins

Customer replied 363 days and 12 hours ago.

Would not restore ... when i input the command with the sequesnce number it would go back to the command prompt

Customer replied 363 days and 10 hours ago.

Relist: Other.
Still have the problme after several attempts to resolve with the first tech. Attempted one fix with second tech but it was alos unseccessful. Have been waiting for further guidance but haven't received any for a few hours now.

Expert: lordnomi replied 363 days and 9 hours ago.

Hi:
Did you check this microsoft link
its expalined well in details here

Customer replied 363 days and 9 hours ago.

No, but I will do it now.

Expert: lordnomi replied 363 days and 9 hours ago.

another relevant link
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2642495
or
http://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/how-to-fix-the-windows-installer-service-could-not-be-accessed-error/

or try this

1. At Start type "regedit"
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SYSTEM
CurrentControlSet
Services
MSIServer

right click on WOW64, select "Modify"
Change Value data from "1" to "0"

2. At "Start" type "run"
type "services.msc"
go to "Windows Installer" and stop and start the program.

3. Reboot computer.lordnomi41011.9576378819

Customer replied 363 days and 9 hours ago.

Windows Installer was not listed in the services tab of the System Configuration Utility.

Expert: lordnomi replied 363 days and 8 hours ago.

Click on Start
Run
type
msiexec /unreg (note the space after "msiexec") \
press "Enter"
Next, access the "Run" line again and type
msiexec /regserver (note the space) and press "Enter"