Windows Installer problem + 1

Hi All,

I'd like to thank-you in advance for trying to help this technology challenged person. I don't know what kind of information that you would need so if I miss something, please let me know and where I can find it.

I have owned 4 computers in the last 7 years and have managed to turn 3 of them into the perfect paperweights! I give a whole new meaning to "computer illiterate."

My first problem is with my desktop. It's a Dell and I have Windows XP on it. My spyware and antivirus are updated daily.

One day I went to get on the internet and I got nothing but a white screen. I like Mozilla Firefox and update it when I'm told. I couldn't get onto ANY site. I had to go over to Internet Explorer 8. EVERY time I went to a site the Windows Installer would pop up saying "Windows is preparing to install." If I clicked on a link, I got the same message.

I reinstalled Firefox from my computer, but got the same blank screen. After fighting with IE for a couple of weeks. I decided to try Firefox one more time only this time I downloaded and installed directly from the site. Haven't had the problem since unless I accidentally click on IE or someone else does.

HOWEVER, if I click "My Documents" I get the message. Eventually My Documents will pop up and if I click a file in there, I get the message. I have found a work around for getting into Word but can't access anything else without getting the message - pictures, media player...

I went to the Microsoft site and tried everything that I could (that I could understand anyway) and nothing has helped. The last thing I tried was to reformat my hard drive but all of a sudden now my floppy drive won't read the disc!

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Now my next problem involves my laptop. It's a Dell Inspiron 1520 with Windows XP and Vista. I installed Microsoft Suite 8 - all 6 discs. But every time I try to open Word I get the Windows Installer doing its thing and then it asks me to put in Disc #1. If I click "cancel" then it works backwards. Instead of the green install line moving to the right, it moves left like it's uninstalling.

Is there a way to get Word to accept that everything is already installed or do I need to uninstall it and reinstall it again?

If I missed something, let me know because I'd really like to figure out what to do.

Thanks for your help,
Candy

 

No ideas? I could really use the help.

Thanks anyway,
Candy