Computer Won't Install or Uninstall Many Programs

Once again our computer is having problems. Our computer is about six years old and is a Windows XP Home Edition. This time it will not let us install or uninstall many program. It started when we downloaded LimeWire. When I try to install a program, I keep getting the same message:

Error
Unable to create a temporary file. Setup aborted.
Error 5: Access is denied.

When I do get something to download, it will not open to finish the installation. Also I started to have problems with Norton Antivirus. It told me that it had expired even though I had Norton Antivirus 2006 installed. I tried to uninstall it, but keeps telling me that Access is denied. I really don't know what to do and would like some help.

Thanks,
jlcndc

Are you logged-in with an acount that has Administrator privileges whist trying to install/uninstall programs?

Welcome to the forum jlcndc :wave:

When was the last time you re-installed XP? If you haven't done it in a few years i would recommend a new install.

If you don't want to take that route, we need to try and figure out what is causing the problems with your system.
Limewire only leads to trouble IMO so no doubt your computer is full of spyware and possibly viruses, worms and trojans. To get rid of these we will use several methods.

Firstly go to http://www.trendmicro.com/housecall and run a full system scan (use Internet explorer).
Next download CWShredder from here: http://www.download.com/3000-8022_4-10301587.html
Perform a full scan and let it remove anything it finds.
Next download CrapCleaner from here: http://www.ccleaner.com/ and perform a full system scan.

Once you have performed these scans please follow the instructions in the Hijack this forum and post a log.


Someone will analyse your log ASAP

Yes, I am logged in with administrator privileges.

The computer is still not working right. The Hijack This log came out clean. Is there anything else I could try to get the computer to work?

OK jlcndc
This link will take you to the Norton removal tool. Uninstall Norton.
Now go to start>Run and type sfc /scannow. This will launch the system file checker. It will scan your computer for any damaged files and attempt to replace them.
Reboot your computer.

Let us know how it goes

[EDIT] If all goes well i would not bother with Norton and instead use AVG 7 free edition.

I did as oyu said. I get to Step 3 number 2 "Download the Msicuu2.exe file, and save it onto your desktop. " When it is almost done downloading I get this message:

Windows Installer
The system cannot open the device or file specified.

Now what do I do? If you tell me to throw the computer out the window, I will be more than happy to! :agree:

Did you try running sfc /scannow?

Yes I did but it did not find any files by that name.

Did not find any files? :?

Did you leave a space between the sfc and the /scannow?

This isn't a file, it is a program that will start automatically when you press enter. All you will see is a blue bar on your screen.