[LJMcCormick]

Running XP Home SP3 on Dell 5150 when I began experiencing Windows Installer problem looking for a "status.msi" file in an installation pkg that does not exist on my harddrive nor any of my CD's. I expect an internet update download from HP failed and I keep getting this popup from windows installer to locate the file. The only way I can get rid of it is thru the task manager to end the "Status" program but it comes right back after a resart of the computer.

Any ideas on how to correct this problem would be appreciated.

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Hi LJMcCormick
Is Xp fully up to date, check @ http://www.update.mi...t.aspx?ln=en-us
Let us know how you get on.

[phillpower2]

Hi LJMcCormick
Is Xp fully up to date, check @ http://www.update.mi...t.aspx?ln=en-us
Let us know how you get on.

[LJMcCormick]

Hi Philpower2,

Yes, I doubled checked and downloaded latest security update this morning.

LJM

[phillpower2]

Hi

Do you have a valid XP CD?

If so, place it in your CD ROM drive and follow the instructions below:
Click on Start and select Run... type sfc /scannow (note the space) (Let this run undisturbed until the window with the blue progress bar goes away)

SFC - Which stands for System File Checker retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.
If you want to see what was replaced, right-click My Computer and click on Manage. In the new window that appears, expand the Event Viewer (by clicking on the + symbol next to it) and then click on System.

Thanks to rshaffer61 for the above instructions

As an added thought have you tried reverting the computer back to a restore point before this started occurring?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

[LJMcCormick]

Hi Philpower2,

Cannot locate XP CD, purchased Dell computer six years ago from Dell. Also cannot restore to previous date, when doing so windows appears to do a restore but when it finishes it says it could not restore and no changes were made to computer.

Any other suggestions?

LJM

[phillpower2]

Hi LJM

Try running SFC (system file checker) see canned speech below;

Go to Start and then Run then type in regedit and click OK

Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

You will see various entries Values on the right hand side.

The one we want is called: SourcePath

It probably has an entry pointing to your CD-ROM drive, usually D and that is why it is asking for the XP CD.
All we need to do is change it to: C:
Now, double click the SourcePatch setting and a new box will pop up.
Change the drive letter from your CD drive to your root drive, usually C:
Close Registry Editor.

Now restart your computer and try sfc /scannow!

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[LJMcCormick]

Hi Philpower2,

You do realize that I do not have an XP installation CD? Do you still want me to do the changes to the registry you suggested above?

LJM

[rockmilk]

The instructions Phil has provided are designed to allow xp users to run sfc /scannow without a xp disk.

[phillpower2]

The instructions Phil has provided are designed to allow xp users to run sfc /scannow without a xp disk.

The above is correct - thanks for confirming rockmilk

[LJMcCormick]

Hi All,

The settings in the registry for "Sourcepath" were already set to C: so I closed the registry and ran sfc /scannow. After it completed I restarted the computer and the same problem remains. The popup window that appears after window installer searches for a "status.msi" file says it can't find it on CD-ROM drive at location "1".

I sure hope you can tell me how to get rid of this problem.

LJM

[phillpower2]

Couple of questions for you 1: What device is your computer set up to boot from first DVD/CD or HDD 2: Do you have a disk in the DVD/CD drive?

[LJMcCormick]

Hi Philpower2,

Computer is set to boot from DVD/CD then Harddrive 0.
No DVD/CD in DVD-ROM drive E: or DVD-RW drive F:
I have a second physical harddrive D: that I use for backup. Boot drive is C:

ps:

For your information, I do have System Mechanic installed on this computer if that is any help.

LJM

[phillpower2]

Change your boot sequence in the BIOS so that the boot drive C: is first please and see how this goes, we can then look at tidying up any stray leftover files that may be causing this.

[LJMcCormick]

Hi Philpower2,

I was in error before, the BIOS was set to boot first from floppy drive and I changed the boot order to 1. Sata harddrive, 2. DVD/CD ROM drive, etc.. Restarted and still have original problem.

Please advise.

LJM

[phillpower2]

Next suggestion is to tidy up the data on your HDD so please follow the directions provided below starting with Autoruns http://technet.micro...ernals/bb963902

1: Extract the Autoruns Zip file contents to a folder.
2: Double-click the "Autoruns.exe".
3: Click on the "Everything" tab
4: Go to File then to Export As or Save in some versions.
5: Save AutoRuns.txt file to known location like your Desktop.
6: Attach to your next reply.

2nd: Download and run TFC from http://www.geekstogo...ds&showfile=187 your computer should automatically re-boot on completion but if not do it manually.

3rd: Defrag your HDD http://www.auslogics...re/disk-defrag/ do this at least once a week in the future, a tidy drive is a faster more stable drive, please note that I am not suggesting that you use any other product or service at any link.