serious Windows problem

[Guest]

I have run into a real issue with my PC. Whenever I try to install any new
software I get WIn XP error reporting dialog box say "encountered a problem
and has to shut down. It also happens to exsisting programs like recovery cd
creator and other windows recovery tools. I tried to download and install
SP2 but half way through the instal it gave me an the xp error. I could
really use some guidence

 

[Vanguardx]

I have run into a real issue with my PC. Whenever I try to install
any new software I get WIn XP error reporting dialog box say
"encountered a problem and has to shut down. It also happens to
exsisting programs like recovery cd creator and other windows
recovery tools. I tried to download and install SP2 but half way
through the instal it gave me an the xp error. I could really use
some guidence

Was the failed install of Windows XP SP-2 before or after you
encountered the problems?

Have you checked for viruses?

Have you scanned for malware and spyware using Ad-Aware, Spybot Search &
Destroy, CWShredder, and checked the output of HijackThis?

Did you try booting from the Windows installation CD and use the Repair
option per http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315341?