Having problems!!

[felicia]

I am having probelms with my computer. Whenever I try to install something I
get error messages that say:
Error extracting support files, can not find path specified.
I have been all over message boards everywhere and cant seem to find what is
wrong. So I called Dell last night and they said I need to install Windows
Installer, then if that does not work I need to reinstall the OS. Is there
something someone is missing? I am really not wanting to reinstall the OS.

I have Windows XP SP3 on a Dell Dimension 4550.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[R. McCarty]

Based on the error message, it sounds as if your Path environment variable
is missing some key elements.
Click Start, Run ( Type ) Cmd [Enter]

Path [Enter]

Check that the returned string contains the following ( Separated by ; )
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows
There will likely be other entries in string.

 

[felicia]

Okay so my next question is if the string does NOT contain that then what?
Can the Windows Installer be reinstalled on XP SP3? I looked around and I
can't seem to find where it says the Windows Installer is ok to use on SP3.

Based on the error message, it sounds as if your Path environment variable
is missing some key elements.
Click Start, Run ( Type ) Cmd [Enter]

Path [Enter]

Check that the returned string contains the following ( Separated by ; )
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Windows
There will likely be other entries in string.

I am having probelms with my computer. Whenever I try to install something
I
get error messages that say:
Error extracting support files, can not find path specified.
I have been all over message boards everywhere and cant seem to find what
is
wrong. So I called Dell last night and they said I need to install Windows
Installer, then if that does not work I need to reinstall the OS. Is there
something someone is missing? I am really not wanting to reinstall the OS.

I have Windows XP SP3 on a Dell Dimension 4550.

Any help would be appreciated.