Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Windows Installer 5.0.7600.16385 Screenshot of the error message Hello everyone, I just joined this community in desperate need for a solution. I recently started receiving this error message whenever I try to install a *.msi program. I have tried every single fix I've found on the net with no luck, these include: - Unregistering/registering msiexec (in normal and safe mode) - Exporting [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] registry value from a working OS and import it in mine. - Copying MSI files (such as msiexec.exe, msi.dll, msisip.dll and others) from other Windows 7 OS and replacing them with mine. - System restore to a previous point. And many others I don't remember right now. Unfortunately there's no Windows Installer 5.0 available to download and try reinstallation. Reinstalling the OS isn't really an alternative right now. I uploaded my [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msiserver] key in case someone wishes to analyze it: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UZ1RSGW4 I would greatly appreciate any other suggestion. Thanks in advance! P.S.: Any additional information you need just ask for it, I will provide it as soon as possible.

I went further on my research and found a way to enable debug logging for Windows Installer. So I did that and here I brought the results. I don't have the enough knowledge to interpret and get something out of this, but I'm sure it must be useful. I tried to install Win7codecs (just picked a random MSI installer) and got the usual error, here's the log: === Verbose logging started: 01-01-2010 1:32:52 Build type: SHIP UNICODE 5.00.7600.00 Calling process: C:\Windows\System32\MSIEXEC.EXE === MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg MSI (c) (C4:78) [01:32:52:316]: Font created. Charset: Req=0, Ret=0, Font: Req=MS Shell Dlg, Ret=MS Shell Dlg MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Resetting cached policy values MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: Machine policy value 'Debug' is 0 MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:331]: ******* RunEngine: ******* Product: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi ******* Action: ******* CommandLine: ********** MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:347]: Machine policy value 'DisableUserInstalls' is 0 MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: Verifying package --> 'C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi' against software restriction policy MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: Note: 1: 2262 2: DigitalSignature 3: -2147287038 MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is not digitally signed MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:32:52:363]: SOFTWARE RESTRICTION POLICY: C:\ProgramData\Win7codecs\{1FDFDF6A-AFBD-41F6-82E6-266AF57F12AB}\Win7codecs.msi is permitted to run at the 'unrestricted' authorization level. MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: Failed to connect to server. Error: 0x80080005 MSI (c) (C4:74) [01:33:22:408]: MainEngineThread is returning 1601 === Verbose logging stopped: 01-01-2010 1:33:22 === Also, checked the Event Viewer after the error prompted: Here are the details: Event ID: 1015 Source: MsiInstaller Hope this contributes.

I have visited and tried the solutions posted in this KB also: How to resolve Common "Windows Installer" Problems Unfortunately none of them worked. Method 1: First one I tried, didn't work. Method 2: Version 5.0 not available for download. Method 3: Can't install the utility, since it's a MSI file too... Method 4: Installer service is set to Manual as it should be. Method 5: Tried emptying Temp folder too, no luck. Method 6: I just posted the debug log on one of my previous posts, hope someone can make something useful out of it. Method 7: Not applicable to Windows 7, but checked some of the options listed there and they're OK. Method 8: Not applicable. Method 9: Didn't understand, but doesn't seem very useful at all. Method 10: Not applicable. Method 11: Key not present on my registry. Method 12: Not possible as there's no MSI 5.0 to attempt a reinstallation. Also, read the following article: Ask the Performance Team : Troubleshooting a Windows Installer Issue After I did, I checked the registry permissions. It all seems fine, System and Admin have full control over the registry. Regarding Process Monitor, I downloaded and opened it, applied the filter in order to monitor only msiexec.exe activity and tried to install the *.msi once again. I saved the log file (links below) in case somebody wants to have a look at it. Process Monitor: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9SC9QNY8 Logfile: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GEAZEOUQ Appart from that, can't think of anything else to extract from that article. Then tried enabling the default Administrator account (originally disabled) and executing the *.msi from it, but no luck at all, same error message.

Right here is your problem Win7codecs.msi is not digitally signed that its complaining about. Upload those files in their original forum to www.skydrive.com in the public folders then post the link(s) here in the forum. I take it that you're having problems with some videos not working in Media Player?MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Hi cdobbs , thanks for your reply, but unfortunately that was not the only installer which I couldn't run. For example, I tried upgrading my video drivers (nVidia) and it gives an error because Nvidia Control Panel can't be properly installed. Checked the folder where the setup was extracted, and the Control Panel's setup was an .msi file. And not only that one, I've tried installing/uninstalling several MSI based software without success, so definitely the problem is with a corrupt Windows Installer. Besides, Win7codecs is a software I've used since I installed Windows 7 and never had a problem before.

Hi,Please also try the suggestions from the following article:Windows Installer Not WorkingThanks,Novak

Hi Novak, thank you for replying. I had already tried starting the service manually through services.msc , but I get an error prompt. It says: "Windows Installer service started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not used by any service of program", something like that (my OS is in Spanish). Also tried exporting that registry key from a friend's computer (with Windows 7 and working Windows Installer), as well as other keys I obtained from the net, and importing them in my registry, but no success once again. Windows update works OK, I've tried installing updates a couple of times and had no problems at all. I uploaded my System Information (obtained from msinfo32), in case someone finds it useful. Thanks once again.

This issue can occur by corrupted files, please use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot the issue. If the issue persists, you may need perform an In-Place upgrade (Repair install) to resolve the issue. 1. Start the computer by using the current Operating System. 2. Insert the Windows 7 DVD in the computer's DVD drive. 3. Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate: If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now. If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps: a. Click the Start Button, type Drive:\setup.exe in the start search box and then click OK. Note: Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive. b. Click Install now. 4. When you reach the "Which type of installation do you want?" screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to Windows 7. Thanks, Novak

Thanks for your reply Novak, but I already formatted my computer. Although I did try both of your suggestions, with no success. SFC didn't find any errors and Repair Install showed a BSOD when it was just about to finish. Anyway, problem solved now, but not the way I would've wanted.

I'm having the same problem. If I do the repair install will I lose user accounts, desktops, etc? Is there any way to just reinstall the windows installer? Thanks, Rick

Hi Rick, when I had this problem I tried repair install, but it failed. Unfortunately, there's currently no way to reinstall Windows Installer, as far as I know. Ultimately, I had to reinstall W7, could find a working solution to this issue. Hope you can.

Thanks, Did you install Windows 7 over your existing Windows 7? Did you lose all your programs and settings? Rick

I preferred to do a clean install, though I manually backed up some settings from the Roaming folder and others.

If you have an external drive or are networked to another computer, you could use Easy Transfer to save all your data and setup info then do a Clean Install then use Easy Transfer again to bring it back. I just did this going from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Pro and it worked great. Click on the Start Orb at left of the TaskBar then type Easy Transfer and press Enter to start it.Rich Why can't I be different and original like everybody else? - Vivian Stanshal

Hi Rick-- In my experience, yui can do an "upgrade" install not only in XP, Vista, but in Win 7 with the same bit OS (what we called an "inplace upgrade" or "repair install" back in the day with MSKBs using those terms as titles. This will often fix the OS if it is having an "MSI can't be accessed problem". I want to emphasize that if you do an inplace upgrade or repair install, specifically using the same OS 32 bit to 32 bit or you could upgrade a 32 bit Win 7 to a 64 bit Win 7 you aren't going to lose a scintilla of what's on that OS--not files, folders, settings, programs, docs, pics, movies, or anything you can name. The advantage with this, and before Vista and Win 7 came along and offered Startup Repair and the bootrec switches to fix a non-booting OS, it was far and away my method of choice for fixing a badly damaged or non-bootable XP. Unfortunately sometimes for some people, in order to do an upgrade install in Win 7, it requires 11+ GB because some expanded files on install need that much real estate, and they don't always have it, particularly on some of the older notebooks and laptops, and when they have sliced up their HD into multiple partitions. A couple of methods I have found btw to fix the can't access MSI (Windows Installer) error in addition are the Error 1719 MSKB even when that is not the error you're getting (for example it's not uncommon for people to have trouble installing Office 2007 or 2010 with a 1602 error and the Error 1719 directions will still work on Win 7. MSFT doesn't always retweak or update names on some MSKBs that will still apply for OS's that are newer for reaons I can only guess have to do with time for different teams. They should. Another unfortunately not well known way you might help fix the registry keys for the installer is to use Aaron Stebner's [MSFT Developer, and PM and Tester on several Teams] SubInACL program--the one updated for Win 7 that is ironically most easily found by binging for Cnet Downloads. Aaron has special directions on using it and moding it to fix installer problem situations on his blog. I appreciate the nice set of regedits that were on the link that Novak Wu [MSFT[ provided in his post above. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprogeneral/thread/f699e632-54ba-443b-85df-269a7fd6cf1a/ Here are links to the resources I referenced. I hope someone can tell me why in the world since Win 7 has been GA since 10/22/09 that MSFT does not make the MSI for it downloadable on the site where they have them. Where to Downloads the MSIs through Vista but unfortunatel not including the one used in Win 7(MSFT needs to get the MSI for Win 7 on this site) since it Beta Tested beginning 7/05 and it RTM'd at Redmond 7/22/09 and GA'd on 10/22/09. http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msifaq/a/1002.htm How to Repair the MSI (can work for the latest MSI in Win 7 which is unfortunately not made available from MSFT for download). http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315346 Aaron Stebner's SubInACL tool http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2006/09/04/739820.aspx SubInACL for Win 7 http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/SubInAcl.shtml If anyone needs to format and backup, in addition to the backup methods available, if you have the room, you can always create a data drive which serves as a place to store whatever you need to save. If you have Outlook email or Win Live Mail or Win Mail profile to backup you can export those accounts to a folder you make and label on that data drive or you can drag and drop the emails to the folder for future use. Good luck, CH