Without knowing what application you are using, I can't be very specific in this answer. Remember, if you're going to submit a question to Ask Dave Taylor, the extra few minutes giving me specific details of your problem and configuration are a great help in debugging or tracking down the solution.
There are some general windows installer issues that could be addressed here, however.
As I recall, the installer program is one of the many things that was updated for SP2. (If you don't have SP2, it's probably time for you to get it, but read Safe SP2 Upgrade Tips first).
There is a newer installer program (version 3.1) that was released in mid-April. You can download it from Microsoft's Web site.
This may take care of some of your problems. I have often had programs tell me to download a newer driver or .dll file, only to find out that the suggested file is older than the one I already have. I tend to ignore these messages. If the message is constantly bugging you, then there may be a way to update the program in question manually. This gives you more control, but you do have to remember to update.
Hope that helps you out!
Thanks to Jeff for his help on this question
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This is one of those classic examples of someone getting a great deal on a Dell computer. Sadly they have Dell's version of Windows not Microsoft's.
Microsoft did more for computer makers with XP than they did for the user in a big way.
Personally XP will never see any machine of mine. I have Win2000 on CD along with all the service packs and it will stay that way for the forseeable future. When the day comes that I can no longer enjoy the features and security if Windows 2000 with existing content I'll bite the bullet, even though I'm 60, and learn a new OS like Linux or the Mac OS.
Redmond has gotten just to much out of hand in recent times. Even businesses and corporations are leaving the Windows fold. I've even given up MS Office in favor of the open source OpenOffice and I'm just as happy with it's functions. The beauty of it all is OpenOffice is free! Not $400 for a buggy complex software suite that a lot of people are even reverting to earlier versions of if not replacing. Redmond is losing ground in areas other than just the OS market. That's why there's so much emphasis on satisfying the OEM's needs with XP modifications while making the users XP experience a virtual nightmare.
Microsoft asusmes they are untouchable which is a false sense of security on their part. They may laugh at the the overall market mumbers because of their OEM stranglehold. They haven't learned their lesson yet. Redmond worships it's IE because of the built in snoopability which translates into vulnerability and ignores the increasing numbers of Firefox, Opera and others with far more security and user freindliness.
While Redmond keeps getting tighter and tighter with buggy software the open source market keeps growing.
If Microsoft would pay more attention to its users experience instead of just it's bottom line and capturing OEM vendors business we'd all be better off.