How to re-install Windows Installer:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how..._windows_i.htm

Also:
Common Windows Installer Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=555175

JS

"Rebeccartist" <Rebeccartist@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EFCF86C2-172A-4BE2-A510-A128D036EADB@microsoft.com...
>I ran some Norton utilities (disk doc., Win doc., Cleanup) + Windows defrag
> this morning. I've since tried to install some landscape design software,
> using its CD, and as soon as its Setup.exe file is picked, Install Shield
> for
> a very old game I've had on my HD for a year appears, and says it's going
> to
> uninstall that game, and asks if I want to continue. I have installed a
> number of programs via CD + Install Shield w/out problems, prior to today,
> since that game was originally installed. So, it appears my Installer now
> has a pointer set incorrectly, for some reason. I've tried the following
> to
> kickstart it:
>
> Reboot
> Uninstalled a different program (using Add/Remove)
> Manually installed the landscape program via its own Install program -
> this
> got the desired software installed correctly and completely.
>
> After finishing the manual installation of the landscape program, I
> reinserted its CD and said I wanted to install it, and again, Install
> Shield
> for the old game popped up and said it was going to uninstall the game...
> etc. I'm assuming that the installer *still* has the pointer wrong (and
> will
> continue to have it wrong in the future), and it has nothing to do with
> this
> landscape software or its installation process.
>
> Would Windows Installer Cleanup utility (
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;290301 ) help me
> at
> all? I can't quite tell from the description.
>
> If not, is there something I can do to fix this? Is "Windows Installer"
> the
> same thing as "Install Shield (Wizard)"?
>
> Is it possible that all of my utilities work this morning, including the
> Defrag, messed up a pointer in Install Shield? I ran Norton Cleanup after
> the Defrag, and it found some problems in temp files, none of which seemed
> to
> have anything to do with an installer. There were no problems with
> shortcuts
> after the Defrag, and the 2 shortcut problems found in Win Doctor had
> nothing
> to do with the game or the installer.
>
> ?? help?