my dell latitude 800 is running xp and will not instal any programs is it the windows installer please help tried remoing new downloads that didnt work either what should i please im
failing school because of my malfunctioning computer

this is insufficient information. could you please help give some more info?
1. Have you tried installing from a different source. e.g. if you are currently trying to use a CD to instal, maybe the drive of the CD isn't working. If you've downloaded the installer, maybe the installer is corrupted.
2. Are you sure that the installer you're using is for XP?
3. Can you check your system for malware?

It is difficult to diagnose problems sometimes without actually seeing the problem.
You might try reinstalling the Windows Installer from here: Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - Windows Installer 3.1 Redistributable

What I have found before, is that if you remove all the files and folders that are within the temp folders, one will be able to install programs again.
I don't actually know why that is exactly, but it has worked before.
Also, please make yourself as coherent as possible when you post.
I know that computer problems can be very frustrating, but it will make it easier for people to help you if you: 1. Start from the beginning.
2. Explain what happened as clearly as you can, with as much information as you can.
3. Tell what operating system you are using (maybe also what service pack).
4. Give more specifics, such as how much memory the computer has, what processor, etc.
Hopefully these general guidelines will help you to be able to explain things in a way that
will maximize someone's ability to help you.

Originally Posted by amandaNnate

my dell latitude 800 is running xp and will not instal any programs is it the windows installer please help tried remoing new downloads that didnt work either what should i please im
failing school because of my malfunctioning computer

The only thing I have to add: If you have a new virus software or Internet Security Suite, you might check to see whether it's set to allow you to install applications. Sometimes you have to tell it to let you do that. Depends on the software.

Hi, maybe I can help. DELL PC's with MS-Software are sometime troublesome. Do you have only MS/Windows software installed? Are the software (Office programs etc.) working normal? Or some programs take unusal long time to start? I am not a professionally one but had similar problems. Found the error in the registry.
In my case it was helpful to install a Registry Booster. It's free.

Download Uniblue RegistryBooster 2011 kostenlos - Systemregistrierung porentief rein - Shareware

Since you can't install any software, I see from here only to possibilities:

1. Look for a DEL Specialist. (Should be the fastest way)
2. Formatting the partition C:\ which you have hopefully, containing the complete MS software.
Partition D:\ with all your data - don;t touch.

Of course, take care you have a complete back up of all data before formatting. (Recovery Disk)

If I do get more information, I let you know.

Joachim
_____________________

@Joachim,

I wish you would refrain from spreading false information.
Uniblue RegistryBooster is NOT free - it's almost $30
Besides ,putting a registry cleaner in the hand of an inexperienced user is asking for trouble,
possibly ending up with a non-bootable drive

Secondly ,your other advice is not helpful either.
Fixing every problem with formatting your drive is not the way to go.
Also ,the OP never mentioned having a D:\ partition with all her data.
Since it's a Dell , D:\ will be the factory restore partition, but using the Restore option will wipe out all her personal data.

Just my 2 cts

re install windows installer from ms website use 3.1 version

I would ask how can you tell they're not installing, which programs are these and what the messages are you receiving about the installation failures including what they recommend you should do?

It appears that this was a "ghost" poster who joined the forum in July, then immediately popped up with one question, gave little in the way of factual information necessary to solve the "problem," and has not been heard from since. Perhaps this was simply impatience since the first response post was more than two months after the original poster. But in any event, it is a waste of time to continue this thread IMHO. I'm only here now because I received an automagical e-mail asking if I could help. Short of initiating a remote connection to the original poster, that's not likely.