Error 1500 , 2 instances of MSIEXEC.EXE

Hello Everyone,

I'm having real trouble with this :

"Error 1500. Another installation is in progress. You must complete that installation before continuing this one."

I think this happened when I had a crash in the middle of installing the latest version of Google Earth.

I've checked in the Task Manager and I do have 2 instances of MSIEXEC.exe

These are all the things I've done to try and resolve :

Rebooted as per Microsoft KB236456 - that just doesnt work.
Edited the Registry to remove the Inprogress Key in the Installer Entry - just comes back.
Stopped the MSI Process in the task manager - just comes back
Searched Google and downloaded and installed a Registry "Fix" - didn't work.

I've read somewhere that the Windows SDK has a copy of MSIZAP.exe, this alledgedly can remove the Inprogress Keys completely , but guess what - I cannot download the SDK because the Installation package is busy with another installation. (It thinks it is - but it's not of course) So a bit of a Catch22 there. (Reference http://support.installshield.com/kb/...icleid=Q107731 )


After all of that I've gone back to a Restore Point at least a week ago - and Restored my machine to that date - any guesses as to the result ????

The installation process is still busy !!! How can that be ?????

So now I'm stuck.

I've spent 4 hours searching Google and these Forums without any success.... so any bright ideas will be welcomed.........


many thanks ~

A Thundering Eejit

Try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

Hello Jephree,

small problem here - cannot install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility because of Error 1500 - another catch22.

Thundering Eejit

Have you tried in Safe Mode with Networking?

Hello jephree,

Ok - I know how to get into Safe Mode - but what does "With Networking" mean ?

Thundering Eejit

It is one option you will see on the list after F8.

The "Networking" will load your LAN drivers so that you can go online and try the Cleanup download.

Jephree

Right - will try that .....

will be back soon,

many thanks - you are the only person in 7 hours online that has offered any kind of practical advice .......

Thundering Eejit

Jephree -

I cant get online from Safe Mode with Networking.

I have nothing in the System tray to show Modem status and connection shortcuts dont work.......

Thundering Eejit

Do you have another computer on which you can download these tools; burn to CD etc. ?

If not you can also try: go to start Run... msconfig

Then go to the Startup tab. Here uncheck all the boxes and reboot. You will be told you are in a diagnostic mode: say OK.

See if then you can go online. If you can do it quick as you will have no anti virus running. Afterwards you can go back to msconfig and re-check all the boxes as they were.

If you should see the installer listed in msconfig you can try just unchecking that. Or the Google Earth etc.

This is the only PC in the house.

I'll try msconfig

thanks