Don't be in such a rush to install the Windows Installer Cleanup app.
That's a broad stroke solution that can make things worse.

Click Start, Run (type) Services.Msc [Enter]
*expand the window of the console
Check through the list of services and locate Windows Installer. Check
the Start mode and make sure it's set to Manual. Also Windows Installer
requires the service "Remote Procedure Call" to be set Automatic and
currently started.

If the services have the correct start mode then you need to close the
Services console and use Event Viewer.

Click Start, Run (type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter]
Expand the system event log and check for Red and Yellow icons that
denote Error(s) and Warning(s). Clicking on each entry will bring up a
details box with a short description and Event ID #. Based on what you
find will determine the next steps to take.

You'd also be advised to install Service Pack 3 on the machine and
then download the ~35 or so Post SP3 patches to your machine.

"blueff" <blueff@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:94817ADB-8A8A-42E8-9AD9-A1988F2C868B@microsoft.com...
> Thank you. I installed Window Installer twice (3.1 and 4.2) and it didn't
> solve the problem. I still can not install the Windows Installer Cleanup
> Utility. I have Service Pack 2 on Windows XP Home Edition. What else can I
> do?
>
> "R. McCarty" wrote:
>
>> Windows Installer is a service that runs when called on. If it doesn't
>> start then the service may not be configured correctly.
>>
>> What Service Pack level is your XP at ? Also if you visit the website
>> http://www.update.microsoft.com
>> are you using the latest version ? If not you'll see an offer to use the
>> latest version. You should follow the screen prompts to use it. One
>> of it's requirements is an update to Windows Installer 3.1 which may
>> help with your other issues.
>>
>> "blueff" <blueff@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A62A5784-9119-4A47-894D-3F0662A1C8FF@microsoft.com...
>> > When I try to download Skype, update ITunes and instaill the Windows
>> > Installer Cleanup Utility I get an error message saying the Windows
>> > Installer
>> > is not accessible. I have tried the support suggestions from Microsoft
>> > and
>> > have had no success. What can I do to download programs on Windows?
>>
>>
>>