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Jonwright1980
36 Posts
0
1336
April 19th, 2004 10:00
Windows Installer
I have a program installed on my computer which has (up to now) opened and worked fine. Now, whenever I click on the desktop icon I get a box called 'windows installer' appear and inside it says "preparing to install". This box just stays and does not go, even if I press cancel.
I have tried to restore my computer to a time where I know for certain that the program worked, but this did not solve the problem
Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be happening here? It just seems to have gone wierd completely out of the blue!
thanks a lot,
Jonwright1980
36 Posts
159
0
Posted April 19th, 2004 13:00
Hi
I tried to re-install the software from the original CD and it appeared to re-install OK, yet the program still does not work which is a bit worrying. There just doesn't seem to be any reason why it should suddenly go like this?!
I think I would try this, completely remove the software. That not only included using the add/remove function, but also after thats completed, do a file search for any stray files left behind. Also, if you feel comfortable editing the registry, delete any keys remaining from the software. Or use a competent registry cleaner. Once thats done, then reinstall the program once again.
Chasing software conflicts is one of the hardest to trace down. Experimentation and guesswork is about all you can do. If you can think back to the first day this all started and undo any changes that were made at that time is one way. I cant answer why system restore didnt help. It may be the software is just corrupted, I dont know.
Sometimes you get lucky and something may be listed in the event viewer that may give you a clue as to whats happening. You can do that by following these instructions:
Go to your Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer Check under the System Tab for any listed error messages. If any are found, repost them in a new thread or go to http://www.google.com and input the error message in the search box to see if solution may be listed.
Jonwright1980
36 Posts
159
0
Posted April 20th, 2004 11:00
No luck with the software makers unfortunately. What I don't understand is why, when I carried out a system restore to a time that the program definately did work, it still did not work? Does this prehaps give me a clue as to where the problem may lie? Are there any methods of trying to figure out if any of my programs are conflicting with each other?
Is re-installing windows XP from the Dell disc an option - as I really do need this program to work again,
Cheers,
Jonwright1980
36 Posts
159
0
Posted April 20th, 2004 12:00
Thanks very much for all your help. I went into the administrative options as you suggested and looked under the applications tab. There were loads of errors associated with windows installer and all mentioned Dell Image Expert. Wierd as I never even use this! I re-installed Dell Image expert from CD and now my software works - BRILLIANT!
Jonwright1980
36 Posts
159
0
Posted April 19th, 2004 13:00
The software is called "MassLynx v 3.2" - its quite specialised software though (not exactly what you'd call common).