Is this a registry issue? One program prompts another's install cd

[spazz]

When starting one program I get the MsiInstaller prompt to insert another program's install cd. Is this a registry issue? I have tried uninstalling both programs and cleaning the registry, but after reinstalling it still occurs. It doesn't seem to have any adverse side effects. It's really annoying to have to hit cancel over and over again to get the original program to start.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Cache]

please give more details. like the name of the 2 programs you are talking about and anything you might have done leading upto when the problem started.

[spazz]

I'm not sure when the problem started. I probably did something and didn't realize it until I used the two programs sometime afterwards.

When starting Registry Mechanic I get a prompt for Autodesk Viz 2005's install cd as if I want to install a feature that wasn't originally installed with the program. The dialog box indicates: "Please wait while Windows configures Autodesk Viz 2005." If I don't immediatley click Cancel, eventually the message: "The feature you are trying to use is on a CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not available. Insert the disk and click Ok." Either way I have to click Cancel numerous times and the installer eventually closes and Registry Mechanic starts. I think this is probably the result of not paying close enough attention to repairs Registry Mechanic made to the registry. I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that it was Registry Mechanic that performed the repairs. It seems like an incorrect association or path. However, After uninstalling both programs and removing all files and folder, I used Registry Clean Expert to find and remove all Registry Mechanic and Autodesk Viz 2005 registry entries before reinstalling Registry Mechanic only, but the problem is the same. Registry Mechanic now indicates no problems in the registry. I don't know where else to check.

Thanks for your assistance.

[Cache]

if you have un-installed both programs and cleard all traces of them, then i would think the problem is within windows itself. as you sead perhaps an incorrect association. the only thing i could think of to fix that would a repair installation. but that seems a little drastic if this is the only problem you have.

[spazz]

So far it seems to not affect the way the programs function, so I don't want to do anything drastic. Things like this just bug me if you know what I mean?

[Cache]

if you have system restore enabled and and can restore to a time that predates the problem then try that.

you might also want to start making backups of the registry before you make any changes to it, that is if you dont already. if you already do and have a backup from before you made any changes that might be worth a go too.

[spazz]

I don't use system restore and have disabled this feature. The two times I used it in the past I had to reinstall plugins and filters for graphic programs and twice I had to reinstall Photoshop CS due to registration issues. There were also some system problems that had to be ironed out, again.

Concerning registry backups, I did make a .reg backup file, but as you may know this type of backup only merges with the registry. Apparently the problem I am having was not undone by the backup. In the future I plan to make .hiv backups which overwrite all registry entries when imported. Also I didn't realize there was a problem until a couple of weeks later when using Registry Mechanic again, by that time I had installed and removed some trial software so I really can't pinpoint the cause of my problem.

I guess I was getting laxidasical because my computer had been running so long without a problem and didn't prepare well enough to recover from such a well hidden issue. Live and learn.

I disabled the windows installer service today so now I just get a couple of blips from the installer prompt and the program starts. This will do until I find the solution.

Thanks again for taking the time to help. I'll post a fix when I find one, and I will find one.