Windows hardware installation manager overrides my Nvidia Geforce 9400 GT install

OK i deleted everything but the nvidia physx because when i try to remove it an error message pops up saying (the windows installer service could not be accessed this can occur if you are running windows in safe mode or if the windows installer is not correctly installed contact your support personnel for assistance) otherwise all the other nvidia programs are uninstalled

Hmm.. at this point isn't clear what's screwing things up (whether maybe nVidia or maybe Windows Installer or still something else) but since it seems to be a bit of a "stubborn" problem, it would be good precaution at this point before we trying removing/fixing anything more just to be safe
> Backup all your personal data
> Create a backup image of your hard drive (so you can always get back to where you are now. EASUS Disk Copy is a good freeware tool for that

I'll follow up with more sometime later

/* edit */
After backups, you can also try running the automated Fix-It in this MS KB to see if any help (use the automated fix-it. Don't try doing this manually)

/* edit2 */
Also try running Driver Sweeper to see if it cleanup and remove all the pieces of software still left behind. You might also try DriverSweeper after you boot into Safe Mode

OK, do the stuff above

Then note:
Since you're running Vista i think you should be able to copy/paste the error message in the pop window. Simply select the error message window, click Ctrl-C to copy, then paste it into your post.

In fact, it occured to me... i wonder if the error message you see is really complaining about Add new hardware wizard or is it simply complaining about you running two installers?? (does it actually mention new hardware wizard by name?)

See if you can't copy/paste to show me the full error message then i'd like to check some registry data

Reboot your computer. Do the following once it starts
1. Open a command prompt window: Click Start->Run, enter: cmd then hit OK.
2. Then copy/paste the code below into the command prompt window
3. It will save a file setup.txt on your desktop. Copy/paste the content into your next post

Code:

reg query "HKLM\SYSTEM\Setup"  > "%userprofile%\desktop\setup.txt

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
SetupType REG_DWORD 0x0
SystemSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0
CmdLine REG_MULTI_SZ C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe /update\0
SystemPrefix REG_BINARY D7130000006041F0
SystemPartition REG_SZ \Device\HarddiskVolume1
OsLoaderPath REG_SZ \
CloneTag REG_MULTI_SZ Thu Apr 01 19:03:20 2010
\0\0
FactoryPreInstallInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
AuditInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
MiniSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\AllowStart

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Pid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Preinstall



Ok im actually running windows xp professional sp3 so things may be different
it doesnt mention the specific name, it just says another installation wizard is running
as far as i know, i only have one installation wizard running
the error message says: (the nvidia setup program has detected that one or more Microsoft hardware installation wizards are active. do you want to continue with setup? click yes to minimize setup until you complete or cancel the other installation wizard(s). click no to exit setup.)

OK.. and Hmmm....

Please confirm: You rebooted and then displayed the registry data? You did NOT start the nVidia install yet, right?

I ask cause:
The registry data I asked you dump is where MS installer saves Setup installation info. I wonder if you might
> Have a wizard running OR
> Have old Setup data in your registry (e.g. from a corrupt prior installation attempt or if you recall if you had a BSOD in the middle of a prior installation??).

1. What does Windows do if you click YES to minimize nVidia? Do you see any other installer windows?

2. On reboot, try Control Panel->Add Hardware. Do actually see the new hardware wizard open up? If yes, try using it.
> Allow it to connect to Windows Update this time only
> Install the software automatically

and.. btw... I see two of three InProgress flags set to TRUE in your data

SystemSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0
FactoryPreInstallInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
AuditInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1

Though i'm not yet sure just what that might mean..but will look further.. if you could also try the add'l steps above in the meantime...

also.. just fyi.. since you're running XP take a look at this post. There's a handy tool SysExporter that may allow you to grab text from windows in XP should you ever want to/need it

just to be sure i rebooted again and heres the data

! REG.EXE VERSION 3.0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
SetupType REG_DWORD 0x0
SystemSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0
CmdLine REG_MULTI_SZ C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe /update\0
SystemPrefix REG_BINARY D7130000006041F0
SystemPartition REG_SZ \Device\HarddiskVolume1
OsLoaderPath REG_SZ \
CloneTag REG_MULTI_SZ Thu Apr 01 19:03:20 2010
\0\0
FactoryPreInstallInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
AuditInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
MiniSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\AllowStart

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Pid

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Preinstall


if i click yes the program will minimize and will wait for the other install programs to finish but they never finish
the new hardware wizard says it cannot run 2 installation programs at a time no matter if the video card is inserted or not.

if i could somehow make these stop it would probably solve my problem
SystemSetupInProgress REG_DWORD 0x0
FactoryPreInstallInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1
AuditInProgress REG_DWORD 0x1

OK.. well, just fyi... i found something very promising!!

Based on the registry data you showed me i found where someone with a very similar problem also had very similar registry data and changing the registry fixed it for them!

But i want to look into it a bit further before we try any type of registry fix and i lay out instructions.. will get back to you within 24hrs

/* edit */
It sounds more and more that those two InProgress flags are your problem. But please wait till i get back with instructions before trying to do anything as registry changes can sometimes be tricky due to all the inter-depencies that can be involvled

btw.. what is the make/model of your computer? And do you have your XP install CD? What SP level is the install CD?

Another hmmmm.... And still more interesting stuff in your registry Setup data

Code:

CmdLine REG_MULTI_SZ C:\WINDOWS\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe /update\0

That command has to do with re-activating the XP Product Key (does that ring any bell?)

Download Autoruns. Click autoruns.exe to run it. Notice its status is displayed in the in lower left corner of window
> Wait for status in lower left says Ready.Then click File->Save As, save to a text file (.txt) and attach it to your next post

ok my computer crashed recently and i had to reinstall windows but i didnt use a cd. my harddrive has the program to restore windows already on it the service pack is #2 but i updated to #3
the make/model: IBM Thinkcentre

View attachment AutoRuns.txt

OK.. I'm now guessing Setup is in some sort of re-activation loop or the old data is just still sitting in the registry (which is why nVidia and manually starting Add Hardware Wizard both thinks another install is already in progress!

Could you also check on the IBM model number??? If you rt click My Computer select Properties it probably show you the model #

I'll get back to you with more (probably not till tomorrow) g'nite

8113-E7U is the model #

1. Let's first verify XP was reactivated OK after your reinstall
> Click Start->Run then copy/paste the command line below into the Run window and click OK
> Does it run? Do you get a window saying it's activated?

Code:

oobe/msoobe /a

2. From what i found, appears there's a second registry key which may also need to be cleaned up
> So reboot again and repeat the earlier steps to run one more reg query command and post the result
> Note this time the output file name is Setup2.txt

Code:

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Factory"  > "%userprofile%\desktop\Setup2.txt"

3. just fyi... As i'm not sure what type of backups you do, just wanted to point out:
> Since you only have a recovery partition on your disk (and no install CD) is important you clone your hard drive image
> As if your hard drive ever hardware crashed you would lose that recovery partition. You'd need a new drive plus an image of your old drive to recover.

After i see result of second registry key i should be able to give you instructions to try and get this thing fixed!

the program says that windows has already been activated

View attachment setup 2.txt

I think you attached the wrong file. The new file should start with HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Factory

/* edit */
Note you are now doing a reg query on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Factory

ok i think this is the right one

View attachment Setup2.txt

1. Create a System Restore point. See How to create a system restore point manually in XP
2. Click Start->Run, enter: regedit
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup. Then in the rt pane
   ==> Rt click CmdLine, click Modify. Erase the command line, hit OK
   ==> Rt click AuditInProgress, click Delete
   ==> Rt click FactoryPreInstallInProgress, click Delete
4. Click File->Exit to close registry editor
5. Reboot and try running nVidia installer again

that was the solution and it also made everything else start working like it was supposed to and windows logs on fast now. thanks