Vista installition problems

[xxhaloownerxx]

Hello one and all, im having some major problems after installing vista, it
would appear that vista wont let me install anything, not fraps, not
anything, only "offical" linscned programs, i need some help here, ive
installed all of windows updates

what happens: i start the .exe program, then a pop up comes up and says
"(insert program name here).exe has stopped working" and it wont let me do
anything else, i cant even install windows live for halo 2. help!

 

[tired of this]

I have the same problem on a new Dell!!! My only experience with Vista
before this was on a home built system, and it did not have this problem.

Nothing will install even Dell system updates. The error message I get is:

A problem has caused this program to stop running.

I have turned off the fire wall, windows defender, lowered security settings
in IE, and modified DEP, but nothing will install!

This is a royal pain.