Background Information:
HP Pavillion a1632x Desktop PC
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual
2.0 GHz
2 GB RAM
320 GB HD
Windows XP Media Center Version 2002 SP3

Windows Installer Version: 3.1.4001.5512

Issue: Getting Windows Installer Error Message when installing Java Update and other programs which require Windows Installer. Installer can not uninstall old version of Java or install new version. Exact Message is: "Windows Installer service could not be accessed. Can occur if running in safe mode, or windows installer is not properly installed." Another related issue is that Windows & Office Updates can not install. They download fine, just can't install.

I have referrenced other postings on this site, referenced the Windows help site, and have checked other help websites. Based on all of this, I have tried the following:

Attempted Fixes already tried:
1) Unregistered and re-registed Windows Installer. Seemed to work OK, however issue still exists.
2) Attempted to Re-install Windows Installer version 3.1. Get error message indicating that "A newer version of Windows Installer is already installed. Can not install this update."
3) Tried to install Windows Installer version 4.5. Was not able to install. Error messages after installing part of the way, uninstalls and then reboots the machine.
4) Suspected that I might have a virus issue. Was not able to run AdAware in regular mode on PC (stopped / locked up about 1/2 way through). Had to reboot in Safe Mode to run a full scan. Was able to detect and delete "Win32 Trojan Installer Agent" when in Safe Mode.
5) Ran Avast!, SpywareBlaster, A2Free, and Spybot. No other issues detected.
6) Installed a new new programs to check for issues. Malwarebytes AntiMalware, ThreatFire, Advanced System Care, Glary Utilities, WinPatrol all installed, ran and no other issues detected.
7) Posted a New Topic to the Windows portion of the forum. Was redirected to this area by "tallin". Did all of the "Before Posting a HiJackThis self help" procedure.

Nothings seems to work. Not sure if this is still a virus that I am not able to detect. At this point, I am out of options after spending the past 4 days on this issue off and on.

Listed below is the HJT Logfile and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Logfile I just created.

I appreciate any help and advise you can provide.

Thanks in advance for you help!



Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:49:44 PM, on 11/29/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Downloads\Adware\aawservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
c:\program files\downloads\a2scanner\a-squared free\a2service.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\arservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Service\SyncServicesBasics.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\ThreatFire\TFService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\mcrdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ARPWRMSG.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVD.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Basics Status\MaxMenuMgrBasics.exe
C:\Program Files\Downloads\ZoneAlarm\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\Program Files\ThreatFire\TFTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Downloads\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe
C:\Program Files\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\DISC\DiscUpdMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Downloads\Hi Jack This\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlwaysReady Power Message APP] ARPWRMSG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] "RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] "nwiz.exe" /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PrinTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\printray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ftutil2] "rundll32.exe" ftutil2.dll,SetWriteCacheMode
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ElbyCheckAnyDVD] "C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\ElbyCheck.exe" /L AnyDVD
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AnyDVD] C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpppta] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP PrecisionScan\PrecisionScan Pro\hpppta.exe /ICON
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [basicsmssmenu] "C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Basics Status\MaxMenuMgrBasics.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Downloads\ZoneAlarm\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe -expressboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ThreatFire] C:\Program Files\ThreatFire\TFTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Downloads\Spybot - Search & Destroy\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Advanced SystemCare 3] "C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe" /startup
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - S-1-5-18 Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - S-1-5-18 Startup: PinMcLnk.lnk = C:\hp\bin\cloaker.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - .DEFAULT Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - .DEFAULT Startup: PinMcLnk.lnk = C:\hp\bin\cloaker.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: PinMcLnk.lnk = C:\hp\bin\cloaker.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Kodak EasyShare software.lnk = C:\Program Files\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\DOWNLO~1\SPYBOT~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\DOWNLO~1\SPYBOT~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {193C772A-87BE-4B19-A7BB-445B226FE9A1} (ewidoOnlineScan Control) - http://downloads.ewido.net/ewidoOnlineScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www1.snapfish.com/SnapfishActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {BDBDE413-7B1C-4C68-A8FF-C5B2B4090876} (F-Secure Online Scanner 3.3) - http://support.f-secure.com/ols/fscax.cab
O23 - Service: a-squared Free Service (a2free) - Emsi Software GmbH - c:\program files\downloads\a2scanner\a-squared free\a2service.exe
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Downloads\Adware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Basics Service - Seagate Technology LLC - C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Service\SyncServicesBasics.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ThreatFire - PC Tools - C:\Program Files\ThreatFire\TFService.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

--
End of file - 10084 bytes



Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.30
Database version: 1433
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

11/29/2008 10:19:53 PM
mbam-log-2008-11-29 (22-19-53).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 54548
Time elapsed: 4 minute(s), 51 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

batkamba,

The good news is that I don't believe you have a malware problem.

I think you were referred here not because malware was showing, but rather because you posted a HJT log. It's good to have a review just in case, but this time you appear clean.

Please return to your previous thread for help from the Tech Team.

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.