Windows installer is stopped

just said error could'nt install then windows xp goes bad. Have to install the windows xp again

Are you using the Dell restore disk? It doesn't sound like you are. There are a number of error messages sp2 installation will kick out and none of them are that vague... could you please tell me exactly what the error message is?

What do you mean that windows xp goes bad? If you have reinstalled windows then corruption should not be there, but maybe somehow there is. Do you have any programs listed as:

mywebsearch
search assistant
virus burst
spyquake
funwebproducts
smileycentral
seekmo
incredimail
180solutions

The above are spyware programs that come in more like trojans, they install usually without your consent while installing another program.

Can you look through add/remove programs and let us know which programs are installed.

Also, if service pack 2 doesn't install off the website, then we should try to install it offline. By saving the download to the hard drive first, then running it.

Also, there is a program from microsoft called subinacl, that resets registry permissions. If you are getting access is denied, could be an installed program had the wrong permissions that was accessing the registry.

Also please do not use registry mechanics or cleaners. If they remove the wrong entry you will be hooped. Best to have a live technician make any necessary changes. Blank entries and stuff like that in the registry does not slow your computer down.

download dial-a-fix and see if any restrictive policies are in place on your system. That could be your main problem.
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

scroll to 2/3 the way down the page to download section. Also contains a fix for windows installer.

However, sp2 will provide you much better protection. Possibly security software is preventing the download.
Are you using norton, mcafee, zone alarm, blackice, windows firewall?
could be a program setting on the firewall that is preventing sp2 from installing.

I think she means that SP2 refuses to install......

Hi NooNoo,

Yes, I see that, however, in my experience, downloading sp2 to harddrive and trying to do an offline installation while not connected to the internet has worked when trying to install off of microsoft update website hasn't worked. Its worth a try. There could be a lot more to it though. It is so much easier to diagnose a system when remotely connected. You can see if there are other problems, that are causing the errors.

I think you already suggested to start and stop the windows installer service too.

There is one more thing that can be done. Just trying to remember off-hand, will post it later that should help to fix the windows installer issue.

I had one of thosed today turned out the registry hive for root was missing permissions. It had only everyone with read permissions. Added administrators and system with fill control and it worked right away.

One thing to try first is to register these dll's
Start then run and enter each of these hitting OK after.

regsvr32 wuapi.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 wucltui.dll
regsvr32 wups.dll
regsvr32 wups2.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 wuweb.dll
regsvr32 atl.dll
regsvr32 wuapi.dll