Can't install programs

I just got a new laptop with XP Home and am having problems installing some of my programs. Others install readily. For example, when I try to install FireFox I get a message in the midst of it; "the specified path cannot be created". With Microsoft Money I get an error "en-US Language Pack - 202 Access_denied"

Anyone have any words of wisdom for me?

 

Hi GrreatRon
These symptoms seem to suggest that access is denied to priveleged folders. Unfortunately, most programs require that the installer's account has administrator priveledge. Here's something you can try:
At the Start Button
Start->Run CMD
The command line console should pop up.
At the prompt type:
net user %username%
Press the <enter> key.
On the screen look for Local Group Memberships
Adjacent, on the same line you should see *Administrators

 

Thanks for the response. I did what you suggested and everything was like you wrote. I'm the administrator* and have control of everything. Was there something else this was supposed to show me?

 

Hi GrreatRon
The next thing that may defeat a software install is disk integrity.
Close all open applications.
Once more->
Start->Run CMD
At the prompt:
chkdsk c: /f
I'm assuming the drive is C:. If not substitute the correct letter.
Once completed, you may have:
0 KB in bad sectors.

 

OK. The checkdisk showed no errors. Any other ideas?

 

Sounds like a permission issue to me. What is odd, is that this is a fresh new laptop.

I have had issues in the past when I had similar issues. The easiest way to perhaps fix this is to download and run Dial-a-Fix: http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4899

Once this is extracted on your computer, RUN: Dial-A-Fix.exe

Next, click the TOOLS button (near the bottom of the opened program), select repair permissions, press the GO button. This may take quite awhile, but it will end.

When it does, exit the program, then try to install the programs you were unable to install.

 

GrreatRon
At this juncture, proceed to install FireFox. But do a custom install, and install to C:\FireFox instead of it's default location. A virus or glitch could have altered permissions on individual folders. But before we go there, let's see if that works.