Can't install software

I can't install Microsoft software. I'm using ME. When I try to install Microsoft Data Access components, security updates, or the like, the system stops working just as the progress bar is supposed to start. It stays at 0% and won't move, even if I let it sit for hours. Installing a scanner, nothing happened on the "updating hardware database" progress bar for over two hours, then all of a sudden, it started working and eventually installed. I've got an HP 9795c P4 1.4 mhz machine. I've dealt extensively with HP about this and they haven't been able to help. Every peripheral installation takes hours before the hardware database will update; Microsoft stuff won't install at all. The progress bar will stay a 0 all night if I let it sit that long. I have to control/alt/delete to get out of it. Help, please!

It just occurred to me that your problem may be the PCHealth function which is running in the background. You can temporarily disable it by going to settings/control panel/scheduled tasks/PCHealth Scheduler. Click on Schedule, then Advanced. Click to end date box and enter todays date. The function will stop running at the end of the day. You can turn it back on at any time.

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Try these to see if they make a difference

Check security settings of the browser, they may be too high. Tools/internet options/security. Select each Webb content zone and then click on the default level.

Also, when installing software turn off all programs running in the background. Press CTRL/ALT/DEL and in the pop up screen you can terminate everything except "Explorer" and "Systray". Another way to do this is to click start/run and type in "msconfig". Select the Startup tab and uncheck everything except "systray", click apply and then restart your computer. After installing the software go back into msconfig and select the startup items you want to run.

However, my first suggestion would be to use the First Aid Recovery CD to get your computer back to the state it was in when you got it. Turn off the PCHealth function and then install the software you want.

The purpose of the PCHealth function is to restore your computer back to a date when everything was working ok. But when you turn off the pchealth function all prior restore points are lost. Check out Start/Help

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