The \Windows\Installer folder contains the cached (saved) copies of the installed updates that are applied by the MS Installer
program, which is what MS Office (among other programs) uses. Not quite sure what you're referring to about 'changing the rules'
but basically, the updates (renamed by the installer when stored while being applied, to insure they are 'unique'are reused as
needed to repair Office, or to keep things updated if you change the installed feature choices in MS Office.
See if the information in this article applies to what you're seeing:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295823/en-us?FR=1
Usually you have a link in the registry, related to your specific Office product installation, that is looking for files it can no
longer find.
Generally, if you cannot complete a repair/reinstall of a MS Office product 2000-2003, you'll need to break the links with the tool
from the article above, then reinstall the Office products affected and reapply the .msp updates (back up your files first then
restart the PC before starting).
=========
MS has changed the rules on MSOffice 2003 updates. I keep a lean hard drive
and deleted the Windows\Installer $PatchCache$ folder. Now I cannot run
MSOffice update because of a stupid missing 514118.EXCELff.msp file. I have
all of the Installer .msp files. Any suggestions?
Thanks for any replies! >>
--
I hope this helped you,
Bob Buckland ?
MS Office system products MVP
LINKS to the 2007 Office System
1. Free MS Office 2007 book from MS Press, 213 pages:
http://microsoft.com/learning/office2007/default.mspx#booksfrommspress
2.. Office 2007 Beta 2 Online Test Drive, Downloadable beta,
e-learning courses, doucmentation and movies:
http://microsoft.com/office/preview
3. Send 2007 Office System Beta 2 feedback directly to the MS Office 2007 product team with this feedback tool:
http://sas.office.microsoft.com/
4. Try the 2007 OfficeOnline preview website , without Office2007
a. Install the ActiveX access control
http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=XT101650581033
b. then visit
http://officebeta.iponet.net