Another computer problem thread

[Ells]

Thought I might as well post this here even though I'm not convinced there's a viable solution!

I'm having trouble with my laptop, windows 7. Basically I can't install anything unless it's a plain .exe file. Anything that requires Microsoft installer hangs and then eventually comes up with an error message.

When I look at services the windows installer says it's not Running and when I try to start it it tells me to fuck off. This happens regardless whether I set it to manual or automatic.

I've tried running (net start MSIServer) that did nothing. Same with unreg/reg.

I've given up really and decided I might as well reinstall windows (everything Important is backed up and I wouldn't have a huge problem with this) but I haven't got the original disk and because it's a dell, even though I've got a key I can't download the OS to a disk. Everything else works perfectly, genuinely no other problems - and it's not a virus issue.

Any ideas? Beyond binning, obviously. I'm very poor.

[Exiled Bob]

You should be able to re-install Windows without a disk. I've bought quite a few PCs over the years and have never had a disk but it has not stopped me from tr-installing Windows when necessary.

I don't have Windows 7 now (I've got Windows 10) but I doubt it is much different - re-installing Windows is done by going to Settings / Updates / Recovery.....

[Ells]

Unfortunately that just brings up 2 options for me - 1) system restore, which takes me back to the last restore point (tried it, no change) or 2) the advanced menu which suggests Reinstall Windows (requires Windows installation disc)

Thank you though

[jayohaitchenn]

Have you done a malware scan? If not, try this:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

And then this:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/is-there-a-common-step-to-repair-windows-installer/136da4c2-0261-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5?auth=1

[Wobbly Bob]

Maybe try a system file checker scan.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929833

[Exiled Bob]

....... and because it's a dell, even though I've got a key I can't download the OS to a disk.

Not sure I understand what you mean here. Have you tried downloading Windows from the MS site, which you can do if you have the product key?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

You can put it on a USB key and install from there.

[Ells]

Thanks for your help everyone

Have you done a malware scan? If not, try this:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Yep, I've tried several malware checks and they've all come back negative. I've always been pretty vigilant and there are no other symptoms, so I'm fairly satisfied it's not that.

And then this:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/is-there-a-common-step-to-repair-windows-installer/136da4c2-0261-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5?auth=1

Thanks for the link - it contains most of the things I've tried, but I'll go through them again just so I can build up a clearer picture if I have to hand over to someone else. I've basically done everything suggested to no avail.

Maybe try a system file checker scan.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929833

Tried this and all came back OK.

Not sure I understand what you mean here. Have you tried downloading Windows from the MS site, which you can do if you have the product key?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

You can put it on a USB key and install from there.

Sorry I'm not very techy at all so can't explain things very well! I can't download it from there because my version of Windows is one preinstalled by the manufacturer.

[Simon Pieman]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17588/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed

Try this

[Ells]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17588/fix-problems-that-block-programs-from-being-installed-or-removed

Try this

This asks for a specific program, and when I choose one at random it just asks me to uninstall it or [helpfully] says "troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem"

[Simon Pieman]

http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/

There's iso file copies of every version which were cloned from the old digital river website. You'll need a bit torrent program and then burn them to a disc.

If you don't have a bit torrent program then I'll upload one to Dropbox and post the link but need to know which version

[Ells]

http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/

There's iso file copies of every version which were cloned from the old digital river website. You'll need a bit torrent program and then burn them to a disc.

If you don't have a bit torrent program then I'll upload one to Dropbox and post the link but need to know which version

That's brilliant, thanks. I should be able to torrent it fine. I'm assuming x64 is 64 bit? How do I know which I need between en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso   and en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_620851.iso?

[Simon Pieman]

U is updated with hotfixe(s), so is more recent

[Ells]

U is updated with hotfixe(s), so is more recent

Ah

So my plan of action is to download that, verify all the weird numbery shit and put it on a USB.
Then I just boot from that and it should install?

Is there anything else I should need other than the product key of my current installation?

Sorry for all the questions, I am useless!

[Barry Scott]

http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/

There's iso file copies of every version which were cloned from the old digital river website. You'll need a bit torrent program and then burn them to a disc.

If you don't have a bit torrent program then I'll upload one to Dropbox and post the link but need to know which version

Wow, thanks for that. The arse-ache I went through recently trying to do a fresh Home Premium install without a disk.

[Samdy Gray]

So my plan of action is to download that, verify all the weird numbery shit and put it on a USB.
Then I just boot from that and it should install?

Is there anything else I should need other than the product key of my current installation?

Sorry for all the questions, I am useless!

You'll need to use something like Rufus (https://rufus.akeo.ie/) to make the USB bootable.

Apart from the product key, that should be it.