Hi bman,
Sounds like something is deliberately interfering with your install, perhaps
malware, perhaps not. Give this a try.
Are you up-to-date with Windows Updates?
Can you gº to Windows Update, select Express (Get high-priority updates),
and apply all offered updªtes
http://update.microsoft.com
Locate your file msi.dll (with search for files/folders if you are
not sure where it's located) and confirm what the version is, either from
it's properties or just passing your cursor over it. If it's not the
latest which is 3.1.4000.2435, then:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893803/
First remove all temporarily junk. Try these operations running in safe
mºde?
In safe mode, some of the protective services which these programs use to
ensure that they aren't removed, are not running, so they are easier to
remºve.
Shut down the computer and turn off the power.
Wait for at least 30 seconds, and then restart the computer in Safe mode or
VGA mºde.
You can clear prefetch files by going to Start menu and Run and typing
prefetch
and then click OK.
Prefetch files are there to help programs load/open quicker but they will be
replaced in prefetch when they are used agªin.
This folder may accumulate useless junk, especially if you change your
configuration a lºt.
There's no harm in emptying it.
Simply delete all the files in that folder; Windows will rebuild it as needed
Open a Internet window and go to Internet Options, Delete Cookies and Temp
Files and included all offline content then also go to Start menu and Run and
type (wiht %)
%temp%
and clear that fºlder. Also go to Start menu and Run and tipe (without %)
temp
and clear that folder.
Run the Disk Cleanup tººl
To start the Disk Cleanup tool, click Start menu, click Run, type
cleanmgr.exe
in the Open box, and then click OK.
OR
Open Disk Cleanup via Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tººls.
Enable Hidden Files and folder's.
To enable hidden files and folders Go to taskbar, click Start > My Computer.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
On the View tab, uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
Make sure that 'Show hidden files and folders' is enabled.
Display the contents of system folders' is checked & 'Hide extentions for
known file types ' is not checked then press ªpply.
You can set this back later by opening the same page and pressing 'restore
defaults' then pressing ªpply,
HOW TO Enable Hidden Files:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339
Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file folders, eg: c:\temp,
c:\windows\temp or C:\Documents and Settings\<name>\Local Settings\Temp (the
path to your temp folder will change depending on your name) - sometimes
programmes can be hidden in there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or
*.dll files in those fºlders;
and c:\Documents and Settings\username\local settings\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5 and delete all the files in those directories and
subdirectºries).
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
Or (in safe mode)
Try with CCleaner and or HDCleaner for a more thorough cleaning.
Ccleaner -
http://www.ccleaner.com
http://www.ccleaner.com/downloadbuilds.asp
Note, When you install Ccleaner, uncheck the Yahoo toolbar option.
Note, in Options, Advanced, uncheck - Only delete files in Windows folders
older than 48 hours.
Do a scan with all the check marks on.
Open Ccleaner and press "Windows" "Aplications" and Run Cleaner from the
menu choose 'Issues' and then press scan for issues, Repair any fºund.
Run twice Ccleaner, the same as above,until you get “0 bytes to be removedâ€.
http://home.tiscali.de/zdata/hdcleaner_e.htm
Read Review at MajorGeeks
Donwnload and install Dial a Fix
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Dialafix_Full/1131569373/2
But the Dial-a-fix.exe is a old won, the new version of that I
downloaded it here:
http://djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix-2006-09-19.exe
Do a scan with all the check marks on.
I'm sure this program should fix the problem with the ControlX
To be sure you are free of malware run this programs
Windows Live Safety Center scan
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
Ewido
http://www.ewido.net/en
Kaspersky
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
Ñoot-kit detection
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/
For the benefit of the community reading this post, please rate the pºst.
I hope this post is helpful.
Let us know how it works ºut.
Еиçеl