Hi All! Okay...I have a little problem. I am trying to Organize & Fix some "Services" running on My System & needed to get into the "Add/Remove Windows Components" Section in the Windows Installer Program but when I try to gain Access to this Particular Area I get a Red X Error that I DO NOT get elsewhere in the Installer. I can Get Into & Use the "Change or Remove Programs" section Fine, & the "Set Program Access Defaults" Opens Fine too!! Its just the "Windows Components" section that I get this error!!?? The Error Reads: "Setup Was Unable To Load the Master Information File" & then When I Hit <OK> I get Another Red X Message that Reads: " The Application Could Not Be Initialized ". Now, I have NO clue how long its been like this. I cant even remember the last time I went into the "Windows Components" area before, but I did just get done installing a Package of .Net Frameworks that included .Net Framework 2.0, 3.0 & 3.5...as this Oldie Computer only had 1.1, so I dont know if maybe this effected it or not. I would be extremely GRATEFUL for any help at restoring my access to this area & correcting this issue...Please? Can I maybe Reinstall Windows Installer & maybe it would fix whatever is wrong? ANY Helpful Information or Suggestions would be MORE then Appreciated!!! Thanks BUNCHES! Corey....."LadyCore"

... hi LadyCore ... to add/remove Windows Components one has to stick-in the XP CD ... which ones are you trying to add? ... nice font ... I like it! Grrrr "...pentathol makes you sing like a canary" ... got brain freeze

A Google search for 'Master Informatio file' turned up a couple of suggestions. Use SFC /scannow or Insert the Windows XP CD in the drive. Click Start/Run and type CMD In the Command Prompt, type this line: expand X:\i386\sysoc.in_ -r c:\windows\inf X=drive with the I386 folder

In addition to the above, the various versions of netframworks are not necessarity needed at all. Some programs require them and will ask for then. You don't update those either. If a program was written to use 1.1 then that is what is required. You may need to update Windows Installer, if your version is old. Generally you will get a message indicating that. Below is a link to the redistributable version of Windows Installer 3.1. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...

Othehill - why Windows Installer version 3.1? Last JUne 2008 MS replaced it with a more tolerable Version 4.5 HERE i_Xp/VistaUser

OK, I just came upon 3.1 and figured it was new enough. Is 4.5 OK for XP?

Yes it is - according to the System Requirements specified in the link. i_Xp/VistaUser