i have a problem with windows installer..i get an error message.'the windows inastaller service could not be accessed.this can occur if you are running windows in safe mode. or if windows installer is not correctly installed.....i'm running win xp home edition..and it's not in a safe mode..what should i do?
thank you

Hi in0x,

I have EXACTLY the same problem. Here is the reply I recieved from Mirosoft. However, this solution did not work for me. If anyone has nyother sggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, and good luck!

"In your case you've indicated: When I try to install ap program with Windows Installer on your computer, you get the following message:

- "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance."

We shall be working to resolve this specific issue through the course of the case. If I have misunderstood your concern please let me know.

Please follow these steps to solve this issue:

1. Click Start, click Run, type REGEDIT, and click OK.

2. In Registry Editor, go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer by clicking the PLUS(+) sign.

3. Highlight the MSIServer folder in the left pane, and double-click the ImagePath entry in the right pane.

4. Please set the value to the following path:

C:\Windows\System32\msiexec.exe /V

5. Click OK, and then exit the Registry Editor.

6. Restart the computer.

7. Keep press F8 key until the Windows Startup menu appears.

8. Choose the Safe Mode, and press Enter.

Note: In the Safe Mode, your system display and Desktop will look and perform differently than in Normal Mode. This is only temporary.

9. Click Start, click Run, type COMMAND, and click OK.

10. After the DOS prompt appears, type the following command:

msiexec /regserver

11. Restart the computer in Normal mode, and then try to install a program again.

Eriq thank you...for the information...unfortunetly it doesn't work

Sorry it did not work for you either, in0x.
I have oretty much well exhausted most of the usual solutions on this end. Ironically enough, the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility won't work, because it requires the W.I. to install. There's logic for ya.

I've also tried manual removal/re-installation of W.I., and it hasn't worked. The only other option I can think of, other than returning to Microsoft for another cookie-cutter answer, would be to try and remove the Windows Installer manually in safe mode, and replace it using the files extracted from instmsiw.exe.

Right now, I don't even have any antivirus software, since the major developers all use Windows Installer.

I hope you find something that works.

I had the same problem. I reinstalled XP over itself and the errors went away.

Hi,
Here is a solution that works, from Microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=%2fsearch%2fviewDoc.aspx%3fdocID%3dKC.Q315353%26dialogID%3d4373457%26iterationID%3d1%26sessionID%3danonymous%7c3895026

what happens when I get to step 8 and i do not have an Office XP disk?

how else can I get the exe file?

My Windows Installer Servce started giving me problems after I tried to install the game voice software that accompanied the sidewinder game voice product. (a Microsoft product)