Programs won't install

[Quantum]

My friends computer won't install programs. Everything else with the computer works. He tells me he thinks it was an update he installed. This is what happens.

I copied Spybot S&D to the desktop and tried to install there. The program looks like it starts to install and blinks off and then the install icon disappears. I looked in the recyle bin but it's empty. The same thing happens with every program I tried to install.

I tried to install from the cd but same thing happens, but offcourse the Icon is still there. I have looked at installed programs but there is nothing that would lead me to believe that any program is doing this. I have looked at running processes but nothing. It could be a viruse but I don't know. Very strange.

Please help me if you can.

He is running Win XP with SP2

[teststrips]

I'm not directly aware of any spyware or virus that would cause that behavior, but it definately sounds like what's going on. I would go to housecall antivirus and run a scan. Housecall is awesome and will generally catch any virus, and the more annoying spyware programs (ones that use sophisticated means to prevent removal)

if you are still having problems, you will probably want to post a HiJackThis log, for someone to look over