Office 2003 Pro can not find POWERPNT.MSP

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

Hello,

Had a major Malware attack that has now affected Office 2003 http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=197135. Most specifically Outlook 2003.

When trying to run Outlook the Windows Installer launched looking for MAINSP3.MSP which is the service pack 3 install file. I figured out how to download the service pack and extract the MAINSP3.MSP to c:\temp which then the installer asked for the location of POWERPNT.MSP and this is where I figured could go on endlessly for each program.

I can still run Word and Excel by canceling the Windows Installer but the same will not work with Outlook.

After doing some reading I found this;

Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden directory on your computer.

MSP files are stored on your computer after update installation completes because they need to be referenced for future update operations.

If the files are missing you will not be able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall Office products as a result of the same problem.

Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance.

So it sounds like I can not uninstall and reinstall Office 2003. I have folders with saved e-mails that I would hope not to loose.

It seems that the Malware attack has messed with the Windows Installer.

Any help to resolve this is much appreciated.:cry

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

I have found a Microsoft Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/

It lists all the recognized installs on my computer including Microsoft Office Pro 2003. There is a warning that this will make permanent changes to your system including having to reinstall the software.

I have my original install disks so that I could do that but I am afraid of loosing important saved e-mails. In addition I fear that this will not be a fix because of what the Malware has done.

Any suggestions?

DavidGP · Sep 25, 2009

Hi

Yes I would if you have the original Office 2003 Disks, use Add/remove to remove Office and then run the Windows Cleanup Tool to remove any parts of Office thats still listed then run Ccleaner and mop up any left over temps and registry entries (run the Registry cleaner until nothing shows as orphaned) then reboot and re-install Office.

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

Will I loose all of my saved e-mails by doing this?

Which version of the Windows Install Clean Up Utility (I have seen at least 2 different ones)?

What settings to run on CCleaner? Default?

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

While trying to download Office Updates I got an error 0x8007041D

I did this hoping that by installing updates it might fix my problem.

DavidGP · Sep 25, 2009

Hi

Backup the PST using this free tool from Microsoft here and HERE

But try this and do a repair install, click in say Word, Help > Detect and Repair then see if that fixes the issue.

What Service Pack is your Office 2003 at? if you are not at SP3 then try the SP3 Update HERE as its the full DL it may bypass any error WinUpdate may throw out.

CCleaner, yes default settings, dont mess with any, however any websites you auto login too will need to have the user/pass entered again as it removes the cookies (can set any sites you wish cookies to be saved and never deleted in the Options > Cookies menu.

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

I have tried the Detect and Repair last night which is when it said can not find MAINSP3.MSP. MAINSP3.MSP is the Service Pack 3 install for Office which was installed at some point in the past. After this attempt last night to repair is the cause of Outlook 2003 not running today I am sure since it was operating Ok before this.

I was trying to correct a problem with Word which after the Malware attack would come up with the following error upon opening and closing the Word program; "MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC-The macros in this project are disabled. See on line help ......"

I also tried yesterday to reinstall Service Pack 3 but it came up with error says that it was already installed.

Which version of the Windows Install Clean Up Utility (I have seen at least 2 different ones)?

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

Backup the PST using this free tool from Microsoft here and HERE
Click to expand...

This tool requires you to be able to open up Outlook 2003 and then click on back-up. Since Outlook will not open there is no way to use this utility to back up e-mails with this utility.

DavidGP · Sep 25, 2009

Hi

The Windows Installer Cleanup Util thats latest last version is here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

As for the PST try this and past this into Explorer or even in an Internet Explorer Address bar C:\Documents and Settings\user_id\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Where user_id is your user id, as in account name, for instance my main logon for this PC is my name in David so location of the PST for my Outlook 2007 is C:\Documents and Settings\david\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

then copy and paste it to a new temp folder for safe keeping as you can import it when you re-install Outlook again.

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

This may be a Windows Installer error verses a Office problem.

My computer just downloaded automatic updates and could not install them/it. It had an error that it could not find the Silverlight.MSI file location.

I directly downloaded that specific update to my desktop and tried to install it with the same error results.

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

Just a thought.

If I had Outlook 2007 and it would install successfully (being a new install), it would then be theoretically able to import all of the settings/e-mails from Outlook 2003, yes?

PoolBoy · Sep 25, 2009

Halo said: ↑

Hi

Yes I would if you have the original Office 2003 Disks, use Add/remove to remove Office and then run the Windows Cleanup Tool to remove any parts of Office thats still listed then run Ccleaner and mop up any left over temps and registry entries (run the Registry cleaner until nothing shows as orphaned) then reboot and re-install Office.
Click to expand...

I fear that Add/Remove may not work (have not tried it yet) and then what do you do?

I base this fear on the previous information that I posted from Microsoft;

Windows Installer patch files (.MSP files) from previously applied Office updates are missing from the \Windows\Installer hidden directory on your computer.

MSP files are stored on your computer after update installation completes because they need to be referenced for future update operations.

If the files are missing you will not be able to apply Office updates. You may also be unable to uninstall Office products as a result of the same problem.

Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for assistance.

DavidGP · Sep 26, 2009

Hi

The malware may have broken more than thought originally, you could do a system file check on Windows to see if that fixes any issues, but you will need a Vista DVD to perform this, and you open a elevated command prompt (click Start and type CMD into the Start Search box then right click CMD when it shows and choose Run as Administrator) then type sfc /scannow and hit enter.

For the office message you post option 7 here is what generally helps remove that http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304498 and http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=295823

Just a thought.

If I had Outlook 2007 and it would install successfully (being a new install), it would then be theoretically able to import all of the settings/e-mails from Outlook 2003, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes but only if you have exported your settings and pst as while you can install multiple versions of Office (XP/2003/2007) the only application you cannot have two of is Outlook.

So you would need to backup your PST file, which holds the emails, calendar info etc, you may though need to manually setup your default account info or see if this runs http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826809

PoolBoy · Sep 26, 2009

you could do a system file check on Windows to see if that fixes any issues
Click to expand...

I have Windows XP Pro, Service Pack 3

I have the restore CD that came with the Dell computer. Can I use this CD, if so what are the steps?

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Office 2003 Pro can not find POWERPNT.MSP

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