Try this and see if it helps.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889499

Thank you for the suggestion. I got as far as:

 

6. In the Services snap-in, expand Services.

 

7. In the list of Services, right-click the Machine Debug Manager service, and then click Properties.

OK.  It seems to be an error that a specific Service cannot be stopped.  Maybe in your case it is a different Service.

 

Control Panel/System Tools/Event Viewer

Open the System page and have a look for RED errors.  Double click and try to find a reference to a "Service" error.  You could try in Applications too.

 

If you find the "Service" which could not be stopped, go to Services.  Double click the Service.  Click "Stop" and then use the drop down box to set it to manual.Apply/OK

 

Then try the install again

Thank you for the additional information.

I did as you suggested and found two instances with Source: Service Control Manager.

The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:

This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

I went to the link and received:

User Action

To troubleshoot the error:

Review the error information displayed in the message.

To display the WIN32_EXIT_CODE error that SCM encountered, at the command prompt, type sc query service name

The information displayed can help you troubleshoot possible causes for the error.

I went to Start/All Programs/Accessories/Command Prompt and entered "sq query EVENT_SERVICE_EXIT_FAILED" but received the response "The specified service does not exist as an installed service."

I then found 20 instances with Source: Side-by-side.

Generate Activation Context failed for C:\Program Files\Apple Software Update\Plugins\MSIInstallPlugin.dll.Manifest. Reference error message: The operation completed successfully.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Currently there are no Microsoft Knowledge Base articles available for this specific error or event message. For information about other support options you can use to find answers online, see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx.

I then found greatly over 100 (I stopped counting there) with Source: Service Control Manager.

The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:

This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. "The specified service does not exist as an installed service."

I scanned the entire list and then got eight instances with DCOM, six with WIN32Time, three with disk, and 121 with CDRom.

My frustration level is going up because my efforts do not seem to yield results and there is so much to work with I do not know where or how to start.

By applications do you mean the applications list in Task Manager? How would this be used to attempt to solve the problem?

I have the SAME ISSUE!

 

all software installations hang on my Dell Dim 4700 Windows XP Every 3rd party software I install either takes 20-30 min to install or never finishes altogether. Itunes, skype, even Windows own updates .net framework for expample.

I have installed the Windows 3.1 new installer - but no luck. I have to believe this an OS problem. I have tried disabling Norton - no impact either way.

Can anyone tell me what is going on with XP? It is now so bad that I cannot shut down the pc, because the automatic application of the updates in queue never completes!

Any smarties out there know what is going on?

First of all turn off Automatic Updates
Right click My Computer/Properties/Automatic Updates  and turn it off

 

Then
I think the downloaded Updates are stored in
C:\WUTemp
 
This is a hidden folder. You must make the folder visible.
a. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
b. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
c. Click the View tab.
d. Click to clear the Hide protected operating system flies (Recommended) check box.
e. Click to select theShow Hidden files and folders option, and then click OK

 

Open it and delete the contents.
That should solve the problem of them trying to install and you will be able to shut down

 

Now, to the problem
Are you getting any error messages?

 

Have a look here for errors
Control Panel / Performance and Maintenance / Admin Tools / Event Viewer / System.
Look for "Red" errors. Double click on error for more information