Can't Install Windows Installer 3.1

[badnewcastle]

I have a legit oem copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2 Slipstreamed, (I slipstremed it and it worked perfect on two full installations).

Last night I replaced my aging equipment with new stuff. I went from AMD to INTEL and upgraded the video card and ram.

Because I changed so much I did a Windows Repair and everything is working good except windows update. I can update windows to the point where windows installer 3.1 is needed.

When I try to install windows installer 3.1 it fails. I tried downloading the stand alone 3.1 v2 from windows and installing that but I get an error and it fails.

Here is a link to a solution I've found in a few places.

I don't know if I should follow the directions above though it seems to be the exact problem I'm having. I just don't feel good about messing with any .dll files. Has anyone else had this problem and do you know of any way to fix it?

 

[Tarrant64]

You could open the command prompt and try this:

net stop wuauserv
cd /d %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
rd /s DataStore
net start wuaserv


Don't know if it will work though. When imaging some PC's at work the Windows Update will start erroring out. Running this usually fixes the problem.

 

[badnewcastle]

Solution is here.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: badnewcastle
Solution is here.

I've had this problem before, and I've tried the fix in your link. It didn't work for me. Hopefully it works for the OP.

The problem on my end was the XP install CD. When held up to light, I could see wavy lines on the CD (it's hard to explain). The installation would skip several files, and I would never be able to get the 3.1 updater. I've reinstalled it several times in VMWare, and it absolutely never works. I tried a different XP CD, and it worked perfect on the first try.

You might need to buy a new CD. Obviously this is the last option on the list of things to try, but keep it on the table.

 

[badnewcastle]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1

Originally posted by: badnewcastle
Solution is here.

I've had this problem before, and I've tried the fix in your link. It didn't work for me. Hopefully it works for the OP.

The problem on my end was the XP install CD. When held up to light, I could see wavy lines on the CD (it's hard to explain). The installation would skip several files, and I would never be able to get the 3.1 updater. I've reinstalled it several times in VMWare, and it absolutely never works. I tried a different XP CD, and it worked perfect on the first try.

You might need to buy a new CD. Obviously this is the last option on the list of things to try, but keep it on the table.

That solution only temporarily worked... I ended up having to reinstall windows because once I got 3.1 to work it allowed me to do everything except install 3rd party applications that require access to windows installer.

Reinstalled and it works perfect.

 

[Robor]

I've had a Windows Installer problem when trying to get Windows Updates. Always solved it by installing Firefox, going to WindizUpdate.com, grabbing the updates there, then going back to MS's official site and trying again. Worked every time so far. (yes I know WindizUpdate isn't an 'official' repository 😉 )