Hi,
Following suggestions in other threads first, I checked MSCONFIG about this. The following image goes along with this thread:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/kkishkon/MSCONFIG.jpg
Umm...yeah...well, I was trying to install the program Paint.Net (supposedly a very full-featured free image viewer and editor), but the installer failed because "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed". Upon trying to install two XP PowerToys, I got the same error.
As I said (and showed), I checked MSCONFIG and Windows Installer is checked 'on' to run, but it is stopped and for some reason it doesn't remember that it was made by Microsoft.
I have, yes I'm admitting it, an invalid VLK. When I heard about WGA I never returned to Windows Update just to prevent the hassle. It was in fact my naive stupidity that de-validated this CD key: when I was younger, I let my friend use it. He subsequently burned his own XP Pro and gave away my CD key. But hey, WGA got him, so he's paying for it (at least until he discovers REGEDIT).
As you look in that screenshot, you'll see it looks very different from anything XP-ish. I have something called the BricoPack Vista Inspirat installed and it mimicks Windows Vista. I like it, and it doesn't seem to cause any issues (I actually get better performance with it too). Before getting it, I asked several people who already have it if they had any issues. I got a green light.
Also, you may notice two Windows Live Messengers in my taskbar. Don't worry about that, I have a patch installed (Plus!...without the sponsor program) that lets me run multiple copies for my multiple emails.
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Kevin
ASRock K7S41GX
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ 1850MHz
512MB DDR333
WD 160GB IDE HDD
ATI Radeon 9200 128MB AGP8x
