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Please help!

RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
edited August 2010 in General Chat
I want to stream the two upcoming races, but I have a big problem. Last month, my antispyware program detected the "infected" file "msi.exec", which activated when I was trying to update my iTunes. Not knowing what it was, I deleted it. Just recently, I tried to install Procaster. I got this error message:
Error creating process <msiexec /i vcredist.msi>. Reason: The system cannot find the file specified.

Researching into it, I found out that "msi.exec" is needed to install programs that use "Windows Installer" to install. Happily, Telltale games have their own installer, but I need to use "Windows Installer" for most other programs, possibly including ScummVM(haven't tried it yet). I saw a few fixes, but they either are confusing, one of those "registry edit" fixes which I am too scared to try, or aren't for my specific problem. I know this is a tall order, but can someone please help?

Comments

  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    Do you have your Windows Installation Disk?
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    jmm wrote: »
    Do you have your Windows Installation Disk?

    I'm pretty sure I don't. I got this computer from a friend a few years ago, and all I remember that it came with is some "Acer Recovery Disks".
  • The HighwayThe Highway
    edited August 2010
    well, i do believe you are screwed my friend
  • PinchpennyPinchpenny
    edited August 2010
    What operating system are you on? For XP, refer to this help article on Microsoft's support site. Since you say you've removed msi.exec you should refer to Method 2 for details on how to reinstall the file.

    Should that not succeed:
    RingmasterJ5 wrote: »
    I'm pretty sure I don't. I got this computer from a friend a few years ago, and all I remember that it came with is some "Acer Recovery Disks".

    Try the Acer recovery disk out and see what options it gives you - ideally it will let you 'Repair Windows' and this should turn msi.exec back to its original state. Do backup your files externally before you go through with that, though.
    RingmasterJ5 wrote: »
    one of those "registry edit" fixes which I am too scared to try

    Be sure to make a system restore point before making the registry edit. Then, should anything go wrong, you'll have something to roll back to.

    Just out of interest, what anti-spyware program are you using?
  • TorTor
    edited August 2010
    I suspect the file you are calling msi.exec is actually msiexec.exe, located in C:\WINDOWS\System32\ on most systems.

    You should be fine if you can copy the file from a working system and put it in the correct folder on your machine. Maybe another forum user who has Vista will be able to help you.

    Alternatively, you can search your hard drive for other copies of the file. I just did a file search in C:\WINDOWS on my own computer and it contained five copies of msiexec.exe in various subfolders. If you can find one of those backup copies and copy it to C:\WINDOWS\System32\ this should also solve your problem. (Switch off the setting that hides file extensions to make sure you find the correct file)
  • BoneFreakBoneFreak
    edited August 2010
    Tor wrote: »
    I suspect the file you are calling msi.exec is actually msiexec.exe, located in C:\WINDOWS\System32\ on most systems.

    You should be fine if you can copy the file from a working system and put it in the correct folder on your machine. Maybe another forum user who has Vista will be able to help you.


    I agree, just make sure you actually COPY and not move the file completely, because you don't want the problem on said other computer. It could be easily done with a flash drive or a portable hard drive like I have.

    Also, check to see if your computer has any backup files, or, use system restore and set it to a date that is before all this stuff happened.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    I've copied the file from my dad's Vista. Now I have one more problem: Even though the installer got much farther now, I have to download Windows Installer again. Blooglspash already sent me the download link, but I need to know if I have an x86, x64 or IA64 Vista. How can I find out?
  • TorTor
    edited August 2010
    Definitely not IA64. Most likely x86. You should be able to find out for sure by opening the System Properties dialog (find it in the control panel or simply hold the Windows key and press Pause). If it says 32-bit operating system, you've got x86. 64-bit means you've got x64.
  • roberttitusroberttitus
    edited August 2010
    http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4&displaylang=en


    You are welcome
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    roberttitus wrote: »
    http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/details.aspx?FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4&displaylang=en


    You are welcome
    RingmasterJ5 wrote: »
    Blooglspash already sent me the download link, but I need to know if I have an x86, x64 or IA64 Vista. How can I find out?

    I sent him a message telling him how to find out what Vista he has.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Now, I have one more problem. Researching more into it, I apperently need a "Windows Installer Cleanup Utility" to uninstall my current Installer before I upgrade to version 4.5. But, every place I looked says that the "Cleanup Utility" is here, but that is a Microsoft Support page on how to uninstall Microsoft Office. Is there something I'm not seeing?
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    Here you go,
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0a162694-4d9d-4676-8283-1ba674374d71#filelist
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Uhh, nope. I don't know what "product key" I need.
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    Did you install the "Patch Registration Tool" or the "PatchRegCleanup"?
    It seems you need the registration tool.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    There were four downloads: the EULA docx file for the "Patch Registration Tool", and the three different versions of the "PatchRegCleanup.exe" file. Every time I start the "PatchRegCleanup-x86.exe" file I get:
    A productkey must be specified

    Press any key to exit

    _

    There was no "Patch Registration Tool".
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    Does the EULA docx file have a Prouduct Key?
  • TorTor
    edited August 2010
    The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility has apparently been retired by Microsoft due to incompatibilities with Office 2007. Details and an unofficial download link can be found here
    Blooglspash wrote: »
    Here you go,
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0a162694-4d9d-4676-8283-1ba674374d71#filelist
    That link is related to Visual Studio, (a software development tool) and most likely has little to do with this issue. Visual Studio is a payware product, that's why it asks for a product key.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Nope, but Microsoft Office keeps asking for one every time I open the .docx file.
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    Tor wrote: »
    The Windows Installer Cleanup Utility has apparently been retired by Microsoft due to incompatibilities with Office 2007. Details and an unofficial download link can be found here

    Sorry for the confusion Ringmaster. His download seems to be correct. BTW, ignore the big START DOWNLOAD ad on that page and scroll down to find this link: http://majorgeeks.com/Windows_Installer_CleanUp_Utility_d4459.html
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    That didn't help at all. I got this error from "Windows Script Host"
    Script:
    C:\Users\RINGMA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\IXP000.TMP\StartMsi.vbs
    Line: 17
    Char: 1
    Error: Permission denied
    Code: 800A0046
    Source: Microsoft VBScript runtime error

    Also, I tried to run it as an Administrator, but I got the "Windows Installer is not working" message.
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    So, you need to install Windows Installer to install Windows Installer? I'm sorry, but I don't understand any of this.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    I don't eith... wait. I think I made a big mistake. I need to go check something.

    EDIT: nevermind. I just had to make sure that the other Vista I got the msiexec.exe file from wasn't 64-bit. It wasn't.
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    RingmasterJ5 wrote: »
    I don't eith... wait. I think I made a big mistake. I need to go check something.

    0_o
    RingmasterJ5 wrote: »
    EDIT: nevermind. I just had to make sure that the other Vista i got the msiexec.exe file wasn't 64-bit. It wasn't.

    Awww...
  • BlooglspashBlooglspash
    edited August 2010
    Well, there are 3 things you could do,
    A: Use the Vista you got the msiexec.exe file from
    B: Backup your files and reinstall Windows Vista
    C: Upgrade to Windows 7
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    Do you have any usable and recent System Restore Point?
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    jmm wrote: »
    Do you have any usable and recent System Restore Point?

    Just one problem: I don't know exactly when msiexec.exe got deleted.
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    If your antivirus/antispyware cleaned it, then all you have to do is to check the antivirus/antispyware activity log.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Found it. 7/22. I'll try to backup everything I currently have soon. I'll then restore it to the closest point before that day.
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    Good luck!
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Small question: Should I delete the copied msiexec.exe file before restoring, or should I just leave it be?
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    Do note that it is preferable to skip a few restore points prior to the date you got from the log in case the infected file was already on your system, just undetected.

    Anyway, leave the msiexec.exe file. It will probably be overwritten by the restore procedure. If it is not overwritten, at least the configuration should be restored to a workable state.

    If after the restoration the installation system is still unusable you can try earlier restore points, but after one or two tries, it will be easier to backup and reinstall.
  • RingmasterJ5RingmasterJ5
    edited August 2010
    Actually, I just noticed that Double AntiSpy never truly labled it as "infected", just "unknown". So, I'll just have to unblock it next time.
  • jmmjmm
    edited August 2010
    That's great, good luck
  • roberttitusroberttitus
    edited August 2010
    Blooglspash wrote: »
    I sent him a message telling him how to find out what Vista he has.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPxY8lpYAUM

    That message wasn't even typed when I first began looking
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