HPPhotosmartEssentials.msi and can't perform repair on something thats not installed error [ Edited ]

[rebelbrowser]

This keeps the windows installer busy during startup... I have reinstalled the HP printer software over and over, and I get all green check marks with the diagnostic from HP, the eq seems to work perfectly.  When pointed to the file located in a temp folder it says cant perform repair on something thats not installed. When pointing to the .msi file on the original disk, it does nothing. WHAT ARE THE XP REGISTRY KEYS TO ELIMINATE FOR THIS ANNOYANCE ?

It would be my guess that this is somehow a bug in the HP upgrade process that wont delete the previous versions. I think I have a hpphotosmartessential version 3.5 running right now.

This is not urgent as I can click cancle 1000 times before windows eventually gets the hint.

I have read enough about this, and have pursued every method to rectify this and I AM NOT GOING THROUGH ANOTHER AFTERNOON OF RE-INSTALLING SOFTWARE FROM DISK.

I would expect an HP engineer to respond to this before someone else, who says somthing I have already read, does.

This must be a registry entry that isnt addressed during installing and upgrading.

Since I didnt misplace the entry or relocate it, I'd expect one of you to know where it is and tell me to eliminate it or make a change to one of its keys....

Thatnk you in advance !

[TorjackPH · Accepted solution]

Note: Make to create a registry backup open regedit, File > Export & save it desktop

To access this location:
Click Start then Run type in regedit

Registry Window Opens

Click + then HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Installer/Products

Select any folder under Products then click it, in the right pane you will see Product Name (WebFldrs XP) usually where Status, Solution Center, Scan, Destinations and etc. are located. So check each folder under Products if you find the Product Name that keeps popping-up delete the folder and that will resolve the issue or you may use Ctrl + Find and check all the box type msi name that keeps popping-up & delete the folder itself

This is the shortest method to resolve the issue without uninstalling/reinstalling the software.

If issue is unresolved that’s the time you will need to uninstall/reinstall the software.

[Disciplyne]

Thank you TorJackPH, that solution appears to have worked for my situation. I had ran an HP Update yesterday, and had not rebooted as it requested. I had shut down and not booted up until today. I suspect that may be why the issue happened in the first place.

[rebelbrowser]

It seemed a bit risky at the time, but when I logged on and off a few times to see this process (windows installer) try to find HPPhotosmartEssential.msi instead of HPPhotosmartEssentialSSSSSS.msi, I took a breath and deleted the registry folder thinking "what could be the worst that could happen". Well, so far I would call this one fixed.

Acording to the results I get from this link,

http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?h_pagetype=s-926&h_lang=en&h_client=s-h-e016-1&h_keyword=dg-THD&j... all indications are green checks for both printer and scanner, except the front panel, which the web page fix button fixes.

Thanks for the help.

@Disciplyne, keep in mind I had followed instructions repeatedly to the letter many times.

Since my pc runs 24/7, the only time I would see that installer msg was at start up, and I been dealing with it since the first HP update(s).  I knew a registry entry had to be fixed because I tried every start up item, and at the cost of printer function nothing worked.

A 7zS76D3  folder exists in my local settings temp folder from 2/26/07 with a hpphotosmartessential.msi file in it as well as this file also is on the original cd under setup. NEITHER of these files satisfied the installer. Infact when I rightclick (A Windows thing) and select repair, I would get "This action only valid for products that  are already installed".

So the question is, why then after reinstalling and updating my HP software, isnt this file addressed so that windows doesnt think it needs to install it again. But who cares as long as there is a way to fix it manually through a registry hack.

[rebelbrowser]

BYW, I did install from the web !

[anecaise]

I am trying to update my printer. I get a message HPPhotoessential.msi I can't be found. I have look every where I did the regedit. did not find it. help!

[momhussan]

HPPhotosmartEssentials.msi and can't perform repair on something thats not installed error

[annagibson]

This solution did not work - HPPhotosmartEssential is still trying to install (an update, I think) and runs in a loop and will not cancel nor will it let me shut-down my computer properly. In the Registry Window there was no Installer/Products under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. I tried deleting the package folder for HPPhotosmartEssential but it is still there and running.  I tried uninstalling HPPhotosmart 3.5 but that did not work either. I tried uninstalling my printer (Deskjet F2180 All-in-one) and reinstalling but it would not complete because of the error message so now my printer will not work. I am using WindowsXP and Norton as well as SpeedyPro. Surely, there is something I can do to eliminate this problem. Also, I previously noticed HPPhotosmart said I had some photos but it would not access them. Please help. Thank you. Anna Gibson

[kastemi]

The following message comes up everytime I start my computer, even thought the entire HP program was downloaded by the Geek Squad who installed my computer:

"HP Photodmart Essential

The feature you are trying to use is on a CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not available.

Insert the HP Photosmart Essential disk & click OK

Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package {HP Photosmart Essential.msi"

Both of these attempts were made but same message keeps appearing on my computer!!!