Adobe Photoshop Elements "hardward or system error" message

Clicking on the Photoshop Elements or Album icons always brings a message "Unable to continue because of a hardware or system err.  Sorry, but this error is unrecoverable."  Sometimes this is followed by "The instruction at "0x03f9d7e3" referenced memory at "Oxe7cc0768."  The memory couldn't be written.  Click ok to terminate the program." 

Have spent hours twice with Dell techs who checked the hardware and memory of my Dimension 2400.  I have XP home office.  I am not computer illiterate, but I can't understand the only 4 solutions I found on Adobe's support site:

1.  Install from the hard disk after disabling startup items and anti virus software.  (I only know how to insert CD and follow directions.  I need simpler instructions, i.e., "click ...; choose, ..; 

 

Help!!!  This software was a much-wanted gift, and I think I am headed the wrong place when I die from all the cussing I have been doing.  Thanks