[peta.grrl]

I tried to download Java and I got the same message "Windows Installer Service could not be accessed"

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I feel we may be looking at requiring a repair here, do you have a windows CD ? but first :

From the Start menu, select all programmes, accessories
Then click the command prompt
In the Open field, type sfc /scannow (Note: There is a space between sfc and /scannow)
Select the OK button.
Follow the prompts throughout the System File Checker process.
Reboot the computer when System File Checker completes.

[Essexboy]

I feel we may be looking at requiring a repair here, do you have a windows CD ? but first :

From the Start menu, select all programmes, accessories
Then click the command prompt
In the Open field, type sfc /scannow (Note: There is a space between sfc and /scannow)
Select the OK button.
Follow the prompts throughout the System File Checker process.
Reboot the computer when System File Checker completes.

[peta.grrl]

I clicked on Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt and the black DOS screen came up so I typed in the command exactly as you asked me to and hit enter as there was no OK button. It just started another line and nothing happened.

[Essexboy]

Is it doing anything - i.e. is your hard driving being accessed ?

[peta.grrl]

I'm not sure...how do I tell?

[Essexboy]

There will be a light on your computer that is flashing, for laptops it will be blue or orange and for a desktop it will be red (this is on the tower or the side near the keyboard)

[peta.grrl]

There is no flashing blue or orange light on my laptop. There is one orange light but it just stays on, no flashing. There is one light that flashes, or more like flickers intermittently, but it's green and the symbol is a square with a parallel line just above it.

Btw...where are you located? Your replies are sometimes around 3:30 in the morning. Or do you just like working those hours?

[Essexboy]

I am in the UK and my current time is 16:38 or thereabouts

It looks like we may need to do a repair install - do you have your windows CD ?

[peta.grrl]

No I don't as I bought the computer used, with Windows already installed. I can see if I can borrow one from somebody I suppose.

[Essexboy]

What is the make and model of the computer ? As it may have the repair facility on the hard drive

[peta.grrl]

You just know everything, don't you?! I'm impressed.

My laptop is an Acer Travelmate 4064WLMi. I sure hope it does have that built-in fixer thingy.

[Essexboy]

OK when you boot the computer at the Acer logo press alt+F10
That should bring up a menu - could you let me know what options it gives you

[peta.grrl]

I tried twice to do this, on the 2nd try I continually pressed alt+F10 and I got a sharp beep on each of the last 3 or 4 tries. The computer just continued to boot up as usual.

[Essexboy]

OK give me a bit and I will see what else I can find out

[Essexboy]

OK I have been searching around - and then I realised that my system is an Acer that originally had XP on it

Could you reboot the computer and at the Acer screen press F12 and let me know what your menu says please