Windows Installer pops up at start up everytime(Annoying)

Question

Every time I enter Windows (XP) after booting up, Windows Installer pops up and says 'installing'.  This is rather annoying since I have to click cancel two or three times before the Windows Installer box gives up trying to install.  It doesn't go so far as to let you know what it is trying to install.  If I don't click cancel to this installation it is trying to do it takes around three to four minutes before it cancels itself and closes down.  This fine but during those four minutes it will popup over any other windows I have opened which can get rather irritating.   The problem started when I went to open 'Program Updates' in Control Panel.  I double clicked to open Program Updates and this Windows Installer window popped up trying to install something.  It never actually finishes installing anything, it just opens, closes, opens and closes and that's it.   Please help me.   Number01

RoHe · Answer

Try doing a System Restore to the latest date available before this problem started. Personal files will be ok, but any Microsoft updates originally installed after the date used for the restore will have to be reinstalled.

Click start>help&support
Click "undo changes..."
Follow the prompts and pick last date available when things were ok.

Ron

Number01 · Answer

Thanks for your advice Ron (RoHe).   I have made many attempts to do a system restore to an earlier date taking your advice but windows keeps saying 'no changes have been made to your computer' 'windows was unable to restore in that date.  Pick an alterative date instead.'.  I've tried to restore as far back as two months but still nothing.   Is there any other way to stop the windows installer popping up besides using system restore do you think?   Thanks for your help so far.

RoHe · Answer

Sounds like you have several problems here. Can I assume your system is free of malware?

Run windows system file check:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click ok
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done. Maybe that will satisfy the installer.

After running sfc and rebooting, open System control panel and click System Restore tab. Check the box to turn off System Restore. Exit and reboot. That deletes the (corrupted) Restore database and all old restore points. Now go back to that same screen, uncheck the box and reboot again. Then manually set a new restore point and reboot. Use that new restore point to restore the system to confirm that it's working again.

Ron
Edit: You might need to read this and then follow the instructions to reinstall Windows Installer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907749

Message Edited by RoHe on 04-03-2007 04:53 PM

RoHe · Answer

There is also the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility, but typically you need to know what the installer was trying to install before you can use this utility to fix the problem.

If none of the above works, run the Cleanup Utility and see if it lists any software that you previously removed. In that case point the cleanup utility at that app. Note, the utility only removes the log files needed to remove an application. It does not remove the app itself. Once you use the utility against n a specific app, you can no longer use Add/Remove Programs to remove that app, but the app will still run normally.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

Ron

halsie · Answer

Just by chance, do you have the XP installation CD in the drive?

Number01 · Answer

Hi,   No, I don't have the XP CD in the drive.   When I bought my laptop from Dell no XP CD was sent with my shipment.  Dell said to me once that I didn't need the XP CD as I has system restore.  (Ok, that's all fine and dandy but what if for some reason you were unable to restore to an earlier date?  Like the problem I have now.)  If I was able to restore to an earlier date I think this problem with the Windows Installer popping up EVERYTIME I start up would be no more.   If you can help me I really would like to know what you think.  Thanks very much for your message.   Cheers, Marc

RoHe · Answer

Geez, I thought you'd fixed this by now. :(

Try this:
click start>run
type in: services.msc
click ok

Find Windows Installer in the list that appears. Right-click it and select Properties. Set Start-up Type to Manual, save the change and reboot. Be careful not to change any other services or settings while you're in services.msc.

And if that doesn't help, read this for some other useful hints about this problem:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=841172&admit=-682735245+1177702866015+28353475

As for the XP CD, read this for instructions how to get one. Be sure to ask for all the CDs for this system, not just XP.
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=214841

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 04-27-2007 12:43 PM

Windows General

Windows Installer pops up at start up everytime(Annoying)

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