BleepingComputer.com: System Registry Data recovered & Windows Installer Service not running

Hi, i have just had help from one of your advisers - m0le (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic436050.html) - with spyware/adware/malware removal, so now i have a clean machine but a pre-existing problem is still bugging me.
First up at every startup i get the message "One of the files containing the system registry had to be recovered by use of a log or alternate copy"
and,also,any time i try to run anything that uses the windows installer service (add/remove programs etc) i get the message "The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support presonnel for assistance"
I have searched the web for help and followed instructions from microsoft support (kb 315353) to restore the msi files and (kb 315346) to reregister the msi. This has not resolved the issue

Help !!

the machine is a HP Compaq dc5700 microtower running XP Professional sp3

I hope this is the correct forum for this, if not please point me in the right direction
many thanks

First thing I would do...make sure that I have a backup of the registry stored somewhere. a good tool for doing this is ERUNT Registry Backup Tool - http://www.snapfiles.com/get/erunt.html .

Then...I would run the chkdsk /r command on the file system.

Then...I would run the appropriate hard drive diagnostic.

After those steps, assuming all went well...I would try to find some clues vie Event Viewer errors.

Louis

thanks Louis
I will give your pointers a try tomorrow night now
fingers crossed
regards Lee

Hi hamluis, chkdsk /r showed clean, no errors
suggestions as to what constitutes an 'appropriate hard drive diagnostic' ?

regards

Go Start/Run...type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.

Double-click Disk Drives...post the content listed for Disk Drives.

Louis

Screenshot attached

SeaTools For DOS

Please read/follow all directions for use provided by Seagate.

Louis

Hi Louis, no luck. the windows version wont install and when I burn a disc and try to boot from it - no go ! Have tried 4 times with the bootable cd but always the same. Now I have run out of discs
At boot it just says...'attempting to boot from CD' then gives up saying cant find file


I give up...

well thanks for nothing, i heard you guys were the ones to go to for help. guess i was wrong.
i wont be recommending this site to anyone i know, rest assured

Lee67, on 08 February 2012 - 05:10 PM, said:

That means you did not burn the file at all, and there is nothing on the CD.

What are you using to create the CD?

Hi, have been using Nero express. It is supposed to file test at the end to check everything ok, came up as passed test. I can use explorer to look at the files on the cdr. Maybe they are not all there ??

Just had a thought, is it possible to put the files on a memory stick and boot from that ?
As each time i try it with a cdr , Nero closes the session and i cant use the disc again !!

Well with Seagate Tools for DOS I do not believe they will work off a booted USB / Drive, but you can try.

Aso try the following: http://alexfeinman.com/v2.htm it is very simple.

Lee67, on 13 February 2012 - 05:39 PM, said:

I just ran across this, I know it is late however.....


I keep 2 CDRW discs for trouble shooting so I don't waste one time discs.
Use Imgburn to burn the disc. It works for me everytime. You can read the user comments.
Don't install the toolbar (Ask toolbar last time I installed) I even use it to find firmware updates.
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ImgBurn

Good Luck
Roger