Cannot install programs in WinXP 1

[domburi]

When trying to install certain programs (for instance - Tiny Personal Firewall, Netscape 7.0, Ulead Photo Explorer 6) I get the strangest message. While the InstallShield Wizard is 'being prepared' a box pops up:

"An installation support file could not be installed"
"The specified module could not be found."

OR

"Error extracting support files:"
"The specified module could not be found."

That's it!!!!!!

Then the program closes. I know Windows has common Installation routines built into it that programs use. Is that messed up? I tried searching the MS KB for those two lines of text but couldn't find anything.

This just worked earlier today, and just stopped working. Anyone have any ideas? ? ?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[gargouille]

I'm guessing this is a standalone system...and you are logged in as admin? (to eliminate a privileges issue)

Try deleting all files in the temp directory (as long as you've rebooted several times since installing something else), then reboot and rerun the setup.

I'm reading that you should delete the Windows/CommonFiles/Installshield folder.

Make sure you have no antivirus software running during the install and in fact try closing out everything you don't absolutely need.

 

[domburi]

I just installed Windows and everything seemed to be working normally... In fact one of the programs that won't install now, I installed normally yesterday. So something must have got corrupted since then. I can't figure out what I might have installed to do that.

I tried those three things but the same message still appears.... I think I might have to reinstall Windows...

 

[domburi]

Ok, well I just reinstalled Windows (record time, I know!!) and the problem is gone now. Gah. I have to setup everything again, but at least I'll BE ABLE to setup stuff!!!

Thanks for your suggestions - I'll try not to screw it up again this time