W98SE Java Error 1402

I have searched through similar threads and have not found what I'm looking for. I have W98SE. I have Java Runtime Environment Standard Edition v1.3.1_04. I have tried to install the most recent JRE version online, and I have downloaded to desktop and tried to install (file: jre-1_5_0_14-windows-i586-p.exe). Either way after a looooong installation period, I get "Error 1402. Could not open key: Unknown\Installer\Features\8A08F..." and the installation fails and rolls back.

Note: I ran CCleaner prior to this. After the installation error, I used scanreg /fix successfully, and I still get Error 1402 when trying to install.

Also, prior to this I downloaded Microsoft JVM Removal Tool - used to remove the MS Java Virtual Machine (MSJVM) as recommended by Chaslang over in the Malware removal forum "How to Protect yourself from malware!"

Any ideas to help me get past the Error 1402, install Java, and move on?

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/236427

This link is not regarding Java but it relates to the error message and the installation of a program causing the error message. Apparently it can relate to your registry or possibly the profile you are using. Hope that it is helpful.

 

Since 98SE isn't mentioned anywhere, are you sure that this version is installable?

 

thanks comper. I don't use profiles, and I ran scanreg /fix successfully...

Steve - I have not uninstalled any version of JRE, as the recommendation states: "Make sure you check that you have the lastest version of Sun Java installed by clicking the link. If you have an older version, install the new version and then remove all old versions." The referenced link is to JRE 6 Update 4 - result: "98SE not supported installation failed." So, I downloaded Sun Java J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 14 (for Win98SE), which to my knowledge is the latest version for 98SE.

I will uninstall all versions of JRE, restart, and try the install again...

 

That version works fine on 98se. With Java, always best to uninstall the previous version first, clean the left overs with a registry cleaner and install newer version.

 

I uninstalled Java, restarted, ran CCleaner, restarted, and installed the recent version of Java sucessfully.
Yeah, I was not in malware removal mode and so I guess that's why I did not see the READ & RUN ME sticky, chaslang. I was just following the "How to protect yourself from malware!" sticky.
Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it.