Do you mean Windows System Restore or Dell PC Restore?

First suggest you open Event Viewer & look for cause of WI problem

Thanks for the replt. I meant Dell PC Restore. I couldn't find anything about WI in the event viewer

Sounds good but if I restore from a backup, after I do the pc restore wont it put the problem back?

Thanks for the replt. I meant Dell PC Restore. I couldn't find anything about WI in the event viewer

Hi john343, If you intend to do an dell pc restore, then backup your gata, because it will format your drive and reinstall your operating system back to factory state.

To do it,

Turn on the computer.

www.dell.com appears at the top of the screen.

2

Immediately upon seeing the blue bar, press .

If you do not press in time, let the computer finish starting, and then restart the computer again.

Then follow the onscreen instructions.

John343

Using the DSR utility will fix your WI problem but seems a bit extreme

Dell PC Restore (DSR) utility will restore your computer system to factory “out-of-box” condition

If you intend to use it, procedure is here, print off a copy (if required) & read carefully

You will need to download & install ALL the windows updates issued since computer was purchased & when using the DSR utility

You say quote “I couldn't find anything about WI in the event viewer”

From Event Viewer System folder, did you right-click one of Service Control Manager entries, select Properties

Then use the RHS up/down arrows to look for any Windows Installer service entries?

Anyway, navigate to & check the following entries

Administrative Tools > Services > scroll down Services (Local) screen to Windows Installer

Under Startup Type, setting should be Manual

Right-click Windows Installer & select Properties

On the General tab, what is the path to executable entry?

Open windows explorer & navigate to Windows\system32, scroll down & right-click on msiexec.exe file

What is the file version?

Edit:

As suggested by Robin (see above procedure link) you must backup/save ALL your personal data otherwise it will all be lost/gone after using the DSR utility

You need to use an external media device e.g. USB flash drive, external hard drive or CDs

Always first AV scan data on any external media device before reinstating any data

WI is set to manual

The executable entry is blank,nothing there.

msiexec.exe is version 3.1.4000.1823

From msiexec.exe file version 3.1.4000.1823, I assume you are using Windows XP?

But before going any further, can you confirm?

1.  Version of Windows you are using

2.  If msiexec.exe file path is C:\WINDOWS\system32

3.  If you have ever used or how comfortable are you at using Registry Editor

I am using Windows XP SP3

msiexec.exe is in C;\Windowssystem\32 folder

I have used the regedit in the past but with guidance.

Your msiexec.exe file version is slightly out-of-date but newer than your XP CD file copy

Just be very careful when using Registry Editor i.e. NO typo errors allowed  :emotion-45:

Last reply shows you used a semi colon, should be a colon in C:\ & missed a back-slash after WINDOWS etc... 

Open Registry Editor Start > Run type in regedit click OK

Starting from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM) expand/navigate to MSIServer folder as follows:

HKLM > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > MSIServer

1. In RHS pane, Data value for ImagePath should be C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe /V

2. If its not then right-click ImagePath & select Modify

3. In the Value data text box, type C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe /V click OK

    (note the blank space between exe & /)

4. Click OK to close Edit String dialog box

5. Close Registry Editor

6. Close Windows selecting the Restart option

7. During boot up process press F8 key & select Safe Mode

8. In Windows Safe mode, click Start > Run then type msiexec /regserver click OK
    (note blank space between msiexec & /)

9. Close Windows & reboot to Normal mode

Reply if you require further clarification/help

1. In RHS pane, Data value for ImagePath should be C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe /V

There is no line like that in the MSIServer. Is there a way I could put a screen shot here?