Problems Installing Software

Over 1 year ago I had major problems getting Service Pack 2 installed for XP. Not sure what the problem ever was, maybe spyware, but I eventually got it installed. Over the past year I have not been able to install any software that used InstallShield Wizard to install. During installation I get the following error "An error occurred while launching the setup. Library not registered".

I also can't get a newer version of FlashPlayer to install using Internet Explorer, but I can get it to work using Mozilla Firefox. So, IE is unusable on many sites.

I've been told there might be a problem with my registry, but I don't know how to fix it. I've also been told I should reinstall Windows XP, or try a repair install. I've backed up all my important files, and am ready to try a repair install but I would like to get my computer cleaned up first so I don't end up with the same problem later.

I've started going thru and deleting junk programs from my computer, but since some of them try to uninstall using InstallShield, they will not uninstall (including a program called "My Search Bar").

What can I do to clean up my computer before trying a repair install?

 

A good temp/junk file cleaner, and a good registry cleaner may be a good start. CCleaner is a free program available here at MajorGeeks that excels in both areas. It has proven itself as a safe registry cleaner time and time again. Here's the link:
CCleaner http://www.majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_No_Toolbar_d4191.html
If the Install Shield is messed up, there's not much you can do to uninstall programs; you could try a 3rd party uninstaller. I like Revo. It's free, and easy to use....
Revo Uninstaller http://www.majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html
Honestly, I think the repair install will fix any problems you're having. But if your CD doesn't have SP2, you should create your own SP2 Windows XP disc by slipstreaming SP2 into it and burning yourself a new disc. It's much easier to do than it sounds. You can even add all the Windows updates so after the install you're good to go. Here's some links:
Ryan's Integrator http://www.majorgeeks.com/RVM_Integrator_d5879.html
Ryan's Post SP2 Update Pack http://www.majorgeeks.com/RyanVMs_Windows_XP_Post-SP2_Update_Pack_d5085.html
AutoStreamer http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4444.html
How-to-Slipstream Article http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
How-to using Ryan's Integrator http://integrator.siginetsoftware.com/index.php?manual
How-to using Autostreamer http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.shtml
More help can be found at Ryan's home page (here http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack-sp2.html) or you can post here, or just do a Google search for "slipstream sp2" and you'll get tons of answers.
Good luck!

 

OK, I'm following the instructions in this link and I've copied the Windows XP CD on to my C: drive. Then I went to the Microsoft link provided to download SP2, and the MS page it takes me to says its XP SP2 for "Installation Professionals and Developers" and should only be used if installing on multiple computers on a network". Is this version OK to install on my home computer?

I clicked on the Windows Update link they recommended for people updating just one computer, and it wants to search for all updates my computer needs...I just want SP2.

 

I'm following the steps in the How-to-Slipstream Article http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp

and I'm on step 5 "Make a Bootable XP SP2 CD". My Roxio Easy CD Creator no longer works since installing SP2 (people have told me the two Roxio Easy CD and SP2 conflict with each other), and I tried downloading Nero 8 but it requires MS Visual C++ which I tried to download and install from MS but it would not install.

So, I'm using BurnAtOnce as my CD burning software, and in trying to follow step 5 I'm not sure if I'm doing it correctly. Can someone walk me through how to burn this bootable XP SP2 CD using BurnAtOnce? I've gone into ISO Settings and put the CD name into the Volume Label field, and I've checked the Bootable Image box, the No Emulation Box, and the Load Size box (with the number 4 in the box after that), and I put the Microsoft.img file in the box below "Boot Info Table". Is there anything else I need to check?

I then added all the files in my C:\xp folder and also added the Microsoft.img file. Am I now ready to burn the CD? Is the Microsoft.img file one of the files I need to burn, or do I just need to have that file referenced in the ISO Settings screen?

 

OK, I made the backup bootable copy of the XP SP2, but I did it the way I described in my previous post so I'm not 100% sure its correct.

I then downloaded CCleaner and had it Scan for Issues in the Registry section, and had it Fix Selected Issues. I also ran the Cleaner section. I then tried to install a program that had failed to install in the past and I get the same "Library not registered" error from InstallShield.

Unless anyone has other suggestions, I think I'm ready to try the repair install of Windows XP. How do I do this using the bootable disc I created?

 

Found anything yet?

 

I ran each of those, successfully, and I'm still having the problem with InstallShield.

Do you have any more suggestions, or do you have instructions on how to do the repair install?

 

That didn't work either.

I'll start a new thread regarding doing a repair install.