Can not download programs

[firbal]

I am running XP home on my system. I've been running it for the last 4 years with out refomating it. But I am running into kproblems that is making me want to reformate and reload XP.
Lately, when I try to download or update my programs, I get this error:

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

Seems that the installer somehow got corrupted. I have been able to install a few other programs. But it is a hit or miss. I guess my support peronnel has to be here because I cann't think of who they are talking about.   

Also, last year I updated IE and I get the Customize Your Settings page on startup. But when I've tried to customize, it will not take my settings. So for almost a year this page keeps on coming up and I can not get rid of it!

[BaldEagl]

Search the MS Knowledge base with the exact wording of any error messages you're getting.  The answer is almost always there.

[Fulmar]

'An' answer is almost always there.

A solution on the other hand...

Try redownloading and installed Windows Installer... (if it lets you do it, the irony!)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=889482FC-5F56-4A38-B838-DE776FD4138C&displaylang=en

[firbal]

Thanks. Will try it when I get home from work tonight.

[firbal]

Downloaded the so called fix. What I got was:

Stup has detected tha the Service Pack version of this system is newer than the ukpdate you are applying.
There is no need to install this update.

So I have an installer program that does not let me install and the fix is out of date. Good ol M$.

[Fulmar]

Two more things you can try.

1) Run windows update.  See if it picks up a new version of Windows Installer to update.
If that doesn't work, try #2
2) Go to control panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Uninstall Windows Installer.  Then either go to Windows update page and have windows install it or use that link to that older version posted above.  (I cannot find a direct download link to the newest version of Windows Installer other than through Windows Auto-Update page thingy).

[firbal]

Will try #2. I have several update that keep failing to update. I may have to reformat C drive.

[DREDIOCK]

instead of formatting
Fist try doing a windows repair.
Set your Bios to look to boot from CD first and boot up with the windows disk in.
It should give you two options. To format and install XP.
Or to do a repair.
If you do a repair you wont loose any of your files

[Getback]

I beg you to do the repair first.

[Fulmar]

Repair is always worth a try.  However, the two instances I've used it in the past, it failed to fix the problem.

[firbal]

Thanks. I'll do the repair. I was wondering how that was done.