[Redwheel22]

I am new at this my problem is when I attempt to log onto the Internet through my ISP a window will appear called Window Installer with the notation in the box stating "preparing to install" that is all it states. No remark is made as to what it is preparing to install. This had slowed my DSL speed down while I wait for this to go through whatever it is doing. This also happens when I try to access EXP 7 and most web pages. I have Windows XP Home Edition w/SP2 installed, I am at my end on how to take care of this problem. Any suggestions??





Thanks


Redwheel22

[mphenterprises]

Hi RedWheel and welcome to PCWorld. :-)




First, I have changed your Discussion title to give a clearer indication of your question. For future reference, please be as descriptive as possible in both the heading of your Discussion as well as the post itself.

Basically, an application is trying to complete its installation process. I have some questions for you:

- Have you recently tried to install anything associated to web browsing?

- Does the Windows Installer ever go away, bring up another window, or just sit there?

- For how long has this problem been occurring?

- Have you tried a System Restore?

- What recent applications have you installed?

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

Have you talked to the "Tech Support" of your ISP about this ? IF yes, what did they say ?

By the way, what is the Name of your ISP ?

[VladTheImpaler1990]

Hey there,

Is your windows update set to install automatically? As it could be installing a update for your computer or internet explorer

[Tech4me]

Hi. I had kind of same problem before...Turn out that I had to ckick on UPdate to finish intalling.after that It works fine, If not , You can do system restore later.

Good Luck. & Have fun .B-)

[VladTheImpaler1990]

Ya so i will advise you to just checj out your automatic updates as Tech said he had the same problem.

[Redwheel22]

Hi Mphenterprises
Windows installer seems to be scanning every web page that I wish to go to, When I try to access AT&T Yahoo Browser is takes a minute to a minute and half before the Windows Installer disapears and then when I try to go to my e-mail or a web page it will come on again until the page or items are installed.

This started around the period 4 thru 14 January, several updates were installed due to having automatic update on which I now have turned off so I can view them before they are installed.

I have tried restoring the system but could only go back to the 23 of January, however I have back up files that I am going to try tonight to see how far I can get back, somehow my restore points were deleated.

Some programs that I have download were Internet Explorer 7, MP3 Rocket, Windown Live One Care Safety Scanner.

That is about all I can remember at this point.

Redwheel22

[Redwheel22]

Hi Spiritwind
Just to get back with you on your questions. I contated my ISP people and they said it was a Windows problem, and I have contacted them and they haven't soloved the problem yet.

My ISP provider id AT&T Yahoo.

Thanks

Bruce

[Redwheel22]

Hi:
I tried the update thing and nothing happened, the Window installer still poped up.

Thanks
Redwheel22

[Redwheel22]

Hi:
Trying the update thing did change the problem.

Thanks

Redwheel22

[mphenterprises]

Hi RedWheel. Thank you for that detailed response. :-)




Well, if the System Restore went back further that would have been my first suggestion. However, since it does not go back far enough, I would suggest uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 by following the Knowledge Base Article released by Microsoft. Once you have it completely uninstalled, go back to Microsoft and download a fresh copy of Internet Explorer 7.

If that does not work, I would suggest trying another browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Opera.

I am not sure if the Live One Care could cause such an issue; however, it is possible. I would keep that in mind if both of these suggestions do not work for you.

[Tech4me]

Hi Red. I 'd definitely uninstall WDs OneCare first ( Its still in the Beta?) see if it goes away. If not, You can Uninstall IE7 and start all over again.

I myself, still waiting to see how WDs onecare turns out. Please post the out come .(Meanwhile , I'll try to get into WDs Onecare to see if there is some settings

that you can eliminate security scanning all the time.)

[mphenterprises]

Hi RedWheel. I have another thought. I just installed an application and I received the same window that you have been receiving:

Windows Installer - Preparing to install...



Since you said this started in early January, I would suggest uninstalling every application that you have installed over the last two months, set a System Restore point, and systematically reinstall each application. At some point, one of the applications you installed did not complete its installation.

Since you only get the pop-up window while accessing some sort of internet based information, I would presume that Internet Explorer 7 is the culprit. However, I would suggest uninstalling all recent applications (two months back) and reinstalling.

[Redwheel22]

Hi Mphenterprises.

I am going to try you suggestion of uninstalling Int Exp 7 and see what happens, I also received a message from Msssupport and they said that I may have a problem with with a Microsoft Produdt: Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003 (They say that the Installation failed), that program was pre-installed when I bought the computer, I sent a msg back to them informing them of that.

I will let you know how I make out on uninstalling EXp 7.

Yhanks:

Redwheel22

[Redwheel22]

Hi:

Well I uninstalled Explorer 7 and that didn't do anything, the Windows Installer window came up again, I was thinking that I may have to go through and uninstall all the Microsoft Office Programs and see what happens.

Bruce

[Redwheel22]

Hi Mphenterptises:

I uninstalled the Explorer 7 program and this did't solve the problem, perhaps I am going to have to uninstall the Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003 program and see if this takes me anywhere.

Bruce

[mphenterprises]

Hi RedWheel. It is rather peculiar that Microsoft Office would be the direct cause of this situation; however, it is worth a shot. Honestly, I am starting to grasp at straws here. We have pretty much eliminated every option.

You situation is similar in nature to another recent Discussion. What worked for that person was to do all the application removals from within Safe Mode. Back on February 7th, it was suggested to you to remove all applications that you installed as of the beginning of January. If Office is the only other application that you installed this year, that may be the culprit. If you are not sure how to access Safe Mode, follow the steps laid out within this Discussion

Once you remove all applications installed since the beginning of the year, restart the computer as normal and see if you get the Windows Installer during web browsing. If you do not, systematically install each application that you removed and test the web activity after each installation. If you are able to reinstall each application and you do not get the Windows Installer prompt, you should be good to go.

[mcbarker]

This is a shot in the dark, but I tried a program a while back which also installed a third party "Windows Installer", which kept trying to reinstall one of my programs. Look in Control Panel - Add or Remove Programs for any program which has "installer" (other than Windows Installer) in its name, and let us know what you find.


There was also a related "issue" with Office 2003. Check out the following MS page (CLICK HERE) and see if it helps.

There was also an update to Windows Installer in 2007 to version 3.1 v2 (3.1.4000.2435) which fixed some issues. CLICK HERE for more information.

Let us know if any of the above helped. :)

[Redwheel22]

Hi Mphenterprises:



I thought I had better get back with you and give you the good news, I got rid of the Windows installer window that kept popping up, i received a msg from a Tech at windows for Office Standard Edition 2003, I was receiving the window because it was waiting for me to install the Office Standard Edition 2003 permently on my computer, when I purchased the computer I had a 60 day trial of the program and that was over a year ago, for some reason it or whatever thought I was trying to install it when I wasn't, so the problem is fixed. I want to thank you for all the suggestions and trouble you went through.

Thanks

Redwheel22

[mphenterprises]

Hi RedWheel. That is great that you were able to resolve your problem. :D It always seemed like the problem was associated with Office. If you have any further questions, please feel free to post.