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The Help Desk => Computer Related Discussions & Questions => Topic started by: Thor on January 29, 2009, 11:09:40 AM

Title: Strange Problem
Post by: Thor on January 29, 2009, 11:09:40 AM

I'm working on a friend's PC, removing viruses. What's weird is that when I open most programs, Windows Installer kicks in an runs. I THINK I have most of those viruses removed. After several scans and one in safe mode, it's no longer finding anything. It's Windows XP, SP2. Any ideas as to why windows installer runs a lot ??

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: Chris_ on January 29, 2009, 11:12:17 AM

Quote from: Thor on January 29, 2009, 11:09:40 AM

I'm working on a friend's PC, removing viruses. What's weird is that when I open most programs, Windows Installer kicks in an runs. I THINK I have most of those viruses removed. After several scans and one in safe mode, it's no longer finding anything. It's Windows XP, SP2. Any ideas as to why windows installer runs a lot ??

Every time it runs a puppy dies.

Actually, it means something wasn't installed properly from the original source CD or it wasn't installed as an  administrator.  Does this have Office?

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: Tnafbrat on January 29, 2009, 11:13:24 AM

Do you think it could be trying to search for or install upgrades?  I'm trying to remember if upgrades go through Installer.  If they do, maybe there's a setting for how frequently it searches for updates?

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: thundley4 on January 29, 2009, 11:35:02 AM

My Vista machine had that problem.  It kept trying to reinstall the printer software. I finally had to uninstall the printer and completely reinstall it.

Edit: I had a similar problem when I moved my webcam from one USB port to another.  You didn't by chance switch any peripherals to a different USB outlet?

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: Thor on January 29, 2009, 11:42:07 AM

Yes, it does have Office.

Thundley, there are no peripherals connected. I'm sure that my friend has a USB printer  connected at his house.


Brtat, I dunno. I have Windows Update turned down to "Notify when new updates are available".

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: thundley4 on January 29, 2009, 12:14:18 PM

Try this site, for some help. You may have deleted something when running the anti-virus.
http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msifaq/a/1037.htm

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: Thor on January 29, 2009, 02:48:14 PM

Quote from: thundley4 on January 29, 2009, 12:14:18 PM

Try this site, for some help. You may have deleted something when running the anti-virus.
http://www.installsite.org/pages/en/msifaq/a/1037.htm

I deleted a LOT of crap when running the AV and anti-spyware. However, I DON'T think that I deleted any microsoft stuff or even tampered with the OS portion. I'm going to download SP3 and install that, I also changed the windows installer to automatic vs manual in component services. BTW, this was doing the same thing before I was able to get a decent anti-virus on it.

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: MrsSmith on January 29, 2009, 05:28:20 PM

I had a PC do this, but don't have the answer to the fix.  It was one my IT department had "ghosted."  They eventually wiped the hard drive and reinstalled everything without ghosting.

Title: Re: Strange Problem
Post by: Thor on February 04, 2009, 09:36:52 AM

End answer was....... I installed XP Pro over the existing Home edition. Works normally, now. No windows installer screen popping up whenever I open or close a program. I did find that this was apparently a known issue with some versions of XP.