"Windows installer has stopped working", apps crashing

matus201

New Member
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1
Hi there,

I have been happily using Windows 8, until today. Out of nowhere I cannot install/update anything (I always get "windows installer has stopped working error", I cannot run any metro apps (they simply crash), and windows itself seems unstable. Is there any other solution, other than formatting harddrive and re-installing everything?

Thanks for any advice!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 64-bit
Hey.

I have exactly the same problem. There seems to be no info on this anywhere on the internet. Maybe we can find the solution by comparing installed software and hardware? I'll list mine and you can let me know if anything is similar on your end:

Intel i5-3570K @ 4.46 (turbo) Ghz
8 GB 1600 mhz CL9 DDR3 RAM
ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe W/D Mini-ITX motherboard
Zotac Nvidia GTX 470 GPU, 1280 MB GDDR5 RAM
Seagate Barracuda Black system drive (1TB)
Western Digital Green 500 GB backup drive
Akai EIE Pro 24 bit, 96Khz Soundcard/ DAC (4 Channel and USB hub)

----- Software -----

Adobe Photoshop CS6 64 bit
Ni Kontakt 5
Steam

  • [*=1]Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
    [*=1]Natural Selection 2
    [*=1]Sid Meier's Civilization V
    [*=1]Scratches: Director's Cut
    [*=1]Metro 2033
    [*=1]Football Manager 2013
Adobe Flash Player v 11.6.602.171
VLC media player v 2.0.5
Adobe Reader 9
Asio4All 2.10
Akai EIE Pro driver version 2.9.30,
FL Studio 10 (FruityLoops)
Java 7 update 15
Microsoft C++ 2005, 2008 and 2010 Redistros
NeoAxis Engine Non-Commercial SDK v 1.32
Nvidia Graphics driver 310.90 (newer drivers messed with my system)
Opera Web Browser 12.14
WinRar 4.20 64-bit

-----Software I uninstalled because I thought they might be the problem-----

Daemon Tools Lite
Sony Acid Pro 6.0



I had this problem on Windows 7 too, which is what prompted my Windows 8 purchase in the first place. Sadly, the problems stuck with me, making me think it's tied to some hardware, driver or software I'm using.

After a fresh install or repair, Windows 8 will be fine for a month or so, but eventually the problems start with Windows Installer and random "windows-bordered" programs crashing. It's probably something I eventually install, but the dastardly thing is that I can't simply intall one thing at a time and see what's causing it, because it's a delayed reaction.

Hope we can help eachother.

What I've tried:
-sfc /scannow
-Registry fix from a similar problem involving the customer feedback thing in Windows 8
-Memcheck
-Drive diagnostic
-Running non-overclocked
-Scanned for rootkits
-Several different virus scans

According to all of the above, those solutions either don't apply, or indicate my system is as clean as a whistle.

Somehow, msiexec just becomes corrupted. Could it be a windows update related solution?



EDIT:
Speak of the devil, I just ran another sfc /scannow and the command actually found corrupted files this time. But I can't access the log file, getting 'access is denied'. I took control of the file in security but I'm still not getting access. What to do?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5-3570K @ 4.46 ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-I Deluxe/ WD
    Memory
    8 GB 1600 Mhz CL9
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GTX 470
    Browser
    Opera
Hi there,

I have been happily using Windows 8, until today. Out of nowhere I cannot install/update anything (I always get "windows installer has stopped working error", I cannot run any metro apps (they simply crash), and windows itself seems unstable. Is there any other solution, other than formatting harddrive and re-installing everything?

Thanks for any advice!
Could be corruption, etc., etc. If you know approximately when the problem began, you could try a system restore. And, try sfc /scannow (may need to run multiple times--say 3). No luck with these? Then, a refresh may be in order.

Refresh Your PC in Win8—Attempts to solve system problems by replacing system files without affecting user data files. Such files still should be backed up. Installed programs will have to be reinstalled except those from the Windows Store. A list of uninstalled programs is provided on desktop. Your personalization settings will be maintained. System settings will be set to defaults. A Windows.old folder will be created at C:. You can delete it once you have everything you want from it--Windows.old Folder - Delete in Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7 Ult on DIY; Win8 Pro on MBP/Parallels; Win7 Ult on MBP/Boot Camp; Win7 Ult/Win8 Pro on HP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Rig; MacBook Pro (MBP)/Parallels/Boot Camp; HP Pavilion dv6500t Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7-2600K (sometimes OC'd to 4.8 GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8P67 Deluxe Rev B3
    Memory
    16 GB Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 570 SC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway
    Hard Drives
    Dual Boot:
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on OCZ Revo x2 and
    Win7 Ult RAID 0 on Caviar Black SATA 3's
    PSU
    Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W
    Case
    Cooler Master 932 HAF
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B CPU Fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Mouse
    Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    20 Mbps Download/2+ Mbps Upload
    Other Info
    Pioneer Blu-ray Burner/DVD Burner
Hi there,

I have been happily using Windows 8, until today. Out of nowhere I cannot install/update anything (I always get "windows installer has stopped working error", I cannot run any metro apps (they simply crash), and windows itself seems unstable. Is there any other solution, other than formatting harddrive and re-installing everything?

Thanks for any advice!

This link might help:

How Do I Fix My Windows Installer? | Tech Tips - Salon.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
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