My computer for some reason will not install new software either from the internet nor from Disks. I receive this message when I try to install new software:

Warning! Windows installer is currently running please allow it to complete and then try again.

What does this mean?? Is it something to do with my Internet explorer?

How do I fix it?? My system is Microsoft Windows XP 2002.

I would appreciate any help!!

Thanks,
Rosie

Have you tried rebooting? If that hasn't helped, Open Task Manager and look for Windows installer either as an application or a process and select it then choose End Task or end process.

Then try installing.

Go to start, run and type services.msc hit enter

Go dowdn list till you see windows installer and right click on it and click properties

In the dropdown box there, set it to automatic and then on the left, click Start - Now click apply at the bottom and then the service will be running and try to install something from there

Post back

Also try this:
Start, run, type in "msconfig".
A window will come up with tabs at the top click on the one that says "startup" look in that list of programs that are running when you start your system up.
Maybe you have a program there that's running some sort of update or a program that's running in the background like a virus scan.
Example:

Avg internet
Adobe acrobat
Microsoft update
Windows defender

Also you might have a download manager running and it has not completed a task.
Look down by the clock and see what icons you have there this could be of some help.

But for the meantime do as mention and see if that solve your problem.