Windows XP : [SOLVED] Software Installation problems in Windows XP

Hi,

I got a sytem from Dell during late january 2008. It came with an year's warranty and a restore image and all other driver diskettes and OEM CDs.

The problem that i'm facing right from the time till now is that i'm not able to install any softwares in the hard-disk apart from the ones which i got along with the machine. Mine's an Dell Inspiron 530 desktop with Intel Core 2 duo processor, 2 GB RAM and Windows XP SP2. I've tried using system restore and the restore image for trying to fix up the problem but to no avail.

I even tried removing the restore image, formatted the harddisk and tried re-installing windows with the OEM ** that i got along with the machine. It did not resolve the problem, I even called up the customer support and they to use the SUBINACL utility and gave me a batch file (windows .bat command line batch file) to be executed to modify / remove the registry entries. This partially resolved the problem, i was able to install the main softwares like MS Office, Visual Studio, Media Player and other utilities. But i'm still not able to install few other utility softwares which i use less often.

I've even tried fixing this problem by installing with a original XP SP2 **. Even that did not resolve the problem. Everytime i reinstall the machine, i've to use SUBINACL utility to fix up the problem. I've re-installed Windows 3-4 times since i've bought this machine and i re-installed recently last week. But this time, i'm not able to install any of the softwares even after using the SUBINACL utility.

You should have described the actual problem, i.e., the software, the error messages your log on permissions (do you log on as administrator?). Describing the hardware does not help.

If you just install a fresh copy of Windows XP but the problem still persist,
I would bet that your harddisk got damaged by bad sector. I recommend you to check or scan your harddisk by :
1. Open My Computer
2. Assuming you only have one partition and its Drive C:, right click the C: drive, then properties | Tools | under Error-Checking, click check now. . .
3. Tick the Second option then click Start.

If asked to restart your computer to continue, do so and it will scan (probably will find bad sector and fix it).

Second option is Try change your harddisk with a new one or you can borrow from your friend before buying a new one, and replace it to make a test whether changing harddisk fix the problem, or not.

Tell me the result you got after you follow my instruction

Tell me how you know that the problem is with the SATA disk.
Well information should be as clear as possible.

I will check again tomorrow because I want to go home now

What about unplug the PATA from USB first, then try again.
Will that still got error when install programs?

You mention you have dual boot WinXp and 7 in a single SATA Disk.
1. What OS you are currently using that give you the error message everytime you install a program?
2. Are all the program you want to install got the same problem or only happen in specific program such as CCleaner?
3. You said you have already installed a fresh copy of WinXP and you take a screenshot of the error message from which it is determined that question number 1 happen in WinXP from which the Win 7 should have no problem isn't it?
4. You got the problem since you buy that computer or just happen recently after you install win 7 and have dual boot in single harddisk
5. Why you use SUBINACL? installing program should be OK on normal operating system (with administrator privilege), and since it is not be able to install that mean your operating system or even the computer hardware has some problem (You should start from here, but not find utilities), maybe even worse after you use that utilities.
6. NOW ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is simply confirm that you really have A FRESH INSTALL of windows operating system. DO NOT dual boot, try format all the content of the harddisk (backup first if you want to save some data) or even repartitioning

My replies below:
1. The error's in Windows XP. I'm not sure whether the same problem persists in Windows 7. Need to check
2. I get similar kind of error messages while installing any kind of programs / utilities, the registry entries are not created
3. Need to check whether there's any problem with Windows 7. I think there won't be any problem in Win 7
4. No the problem has been there since i bought this system. I got it with only WinXP installed in it in NTFS. I later removed the restore image and partitioned my harddisk to have dual-boot with Win7 after the warranty expired. I installed XP in FAT32 and Win7 in NTFS.
5. I was able to remove the security descriptor entries with SUBINACL utility in XP. I used it once while the system was under warranty. I've also used it after re-installing Windows. Both times i was able to remove the security permissions, only this time i'm unsuccessful. I've not installed Windows 7 now.
6. I'll try a fresh installation of WinXP once again. I may not setup the dual boot now until i fix up the problem, but i still believe the harddisk is fine with no bad sectors.

In your fresh copy of Win XP, make the partition NTFS instead of FAT32 to ensure no problem with NT partitioning.
MAKE SURE you FULL FORMAT the partition DONT use quick format (You should be sure on this to check if that harddisk is really in fine shape)

I don't understand the security descriptor entries you mean. Install program should have no problem regarding security descriptor if operating system and hardware are OK.

Anyway wish u luck after you have a fresh winxp installation and see what happen next

Saraang - have you tried any of the solutions for error 1404 listed here (apart from #3 obviously): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/838687
Also, since you are using an OEM disk, I wonder if there is pre-installed AV software interfering with the install? Try temporarily switching the AV off while installing Office, (though this should not be necessary for a safe system)

you install Windows from network or you use Windows Installation C.D.?

I wonder why you get NETWORK PROBLEMS IF you are not install from the network

My system's a desktop and i only use a D.V.D for installing Windows

Your problem is when installing a program, you get :

Error opening file for writing.
Even you have installed a fresh windows XP.

So I would say if your harddisk is not damaged, maybe there are some program using that resource when you try to install.

Now during installation, make sure no other program is running, installer run from local computer (do not install online), when the error message comes up, you press ctrl+alt+del. Taskman come up, click processes. Print Screen and attach here, lets see if there are any program using that resource.

Also try shut off your installed antivirus, if it can't be, then uninstall your antivirus first before installing.

Hey blast,

Enclosed the error message and the task manager screenshots as per your request while i tried installing MS Office 2010 Profession Edition today morning. I'm damn sure that the anti-virus thing is not blocking any of my installations. Have checked out that too.


Sarang

[9:16 AM] Updated zip with screenshots attached.

I can't open your attachment

Try perform a Windows Clean Boot then install again to see if it works.
Follow Step of method 2 in :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/

Don't forget to switch configuration back to normal to run your program