i keep clean systems because i run a couple of websites. i ran 3 different security scans - my computers are clean. I'm sure you mean well but it is highly unlikely that both of my computers have failing hard drives. I'll also point out that GOTD may have nothing to do with the problem outside of highlighting it. If you don't have an easy problem then finding it may be very tedious and most people have no desire to spend the effort. If you're saying 'That's a major PITA' then you're right. Then re-enable items or groups of items, testing by rebooting and installing the program after each set until you identify the culprit.

Reboot and make sure that the program will install. Start by disabling everything that isn't Microsoft. If you got the BSOD, or if no error is listed on normal boot, then you'll need to use Autoruns, or similar, to disable items that run at Startup.

The potential BSOD is why you should never install in safe mode. Make sure that you know how to enter safe mode from a cold start or from your 'Rescue Disk' or be prepared to reinstall from the backup. If you're lucky the error will be displayed when your boot normally (or you can find it in event viewer) if not, you'll get a BSOD and your PC will be inoperable until you re-enter safe mode and uninstall the program. If it does then one of the drivers or programs that load at startup is causing a problem. If no luck, run msconfig and select 'diagnostic startup' or 'Safe Mode' in the boot option. If you still can't get the program to install, return to Ccleaner and disable all the items in Startup EXCEPT your anti-virus and firewall, reboot and try again. Then, clean the registry but save the entries. Note - you should first make a copy of your saved ids and passwords from your browser. A previous failed installation may be the root of your problem. If no joy, install Ccleaner, or similar, and let it clean the trash out of your system. It is, of course, pointless to fix the problem if your drive is bad or PC infected so don't skip ahead. It's entirely possible that the cause of your problem will be listed. Make a full system backup if your drive is OK and cleanĬheck event viewer for errors. Run full system virus and malware/spyware scans to ensure that your PC isn't infected.

Run a hard drive diagnostic, verify that your problem doesn't arise from an imminent drive failure. Since you've determined that your problem doesn't have a simple solution then you need to troubleshoot:

Setup files are corrupted