Can't install Adobe Reader

I'm trying to install the latest version of Adobe Reader on my system (Windows XP Family Edition) and I keep getting this error message.

I have tried running Crap Cleaner Registry Fix to no avail.

 

Uninstall old Adobe from Add/remove programs. Run CCleaner again. Then search for Adobe Reader's program folder and delete that as well. Then download the new Adobe.

 

Tried this to no avail. Also, downloaded latest version of Crap Cleaner and fixed registry "issues" twice.

I use Samutra for same reason but require Adobe Acrobat to fill out an on-line passport app.

Never had a problem like this with any other installation.

Do I need a more powerful registry tool?

 

Troubleshoot Adobe Reader Download and Installation Problems: http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=333218

 

I really wouldn't use ANY registry cleaner in my lifetime ... every registry cleaner whether its CCleaner or anything else will eventually find the right entry to remove to destroy your system. Really you should only use registry cleaners if your an expert with the registry and you go through every single entry it says are "issues".

 

CCleaner's registry cleaner is very safe. One is prompted to do a back-up. If something goes awry (which it never has done so far for me), one can always merge the registry keys. It's the safest one around.

 

Alright, well I'll giv CCleaners registry cleaner a go ... if it stuffs up yull be the first to know

 

Thanks guys. I went to the limit of my meagre computer skills. Ie. I tried installing Acrobat Reader in safe mode as well as going through msconfig and deactivating everything in the start-up tab. The computer refused to install it in safe mode and the deactivatiion of the start-up entries didn't work.

I still get the same error message upon retry.

I installed the recommended reader above and at least now I can read pdf files.

 

Besides running CCleaner's registry scan, did you also run the Windows scan? I think I'd try that, also.

Did you have an older version of Adobe Reader installed before this? Which version? I wonder whether you would have the same problem if you tried installing version 8.1.3.

 

Problems with combining IE7 and Adobe Reader 9 have been reported in a few instances. Upgrading to IE8 should solve the problem.

 

I tried installing version 8.1.3 and ran aground again.
I googled the final 2 backslash contents below (in red) and found out that I'm not the only one unable to install software.


HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\optionalcomponents\MSFS



Based on the hits I got (mostly help forums) it also looks like a virus problem. However, I found no fixes for the problem. Any ideas?

 

Huh, that sounds like fun ... well for starters run SAS, MBAM and a virus scanner ... then try running chkdsk /r and sfc /scannow ... they might help you .. also not sure if combofix will help you much but its worth a try.