Can't install anything to program files

Hello. I can't seem to install anything into program files, or any folder on drive C, only drive D. I am an administrator but the computer says I don't have rights to install things. The properties for the Program Files folder doesn't have any premissions set, and when I try to set some it says access is denied.

My laptop is an Acer Aspire 6920G, running windows vista. What should I do? Thanks.

 

Double check your User Account in the Control Panel.
Make sure, no guest enabled and you're the ADMIN.

If it still can't, I think you should try re-install your WINDOWS(restore to default factory). This might solve your problem.

 

The guest account is off, and my account is an administrator. Is there any other way then reinstalling windows? Thanks for the reply.

 

I think is registry faulty?
www.ccleaner.com
Try ccleaner. Read the guide there(link provided above). Scan your registry errors, fix them all and restart your computer.

 

I've never used a registry scanner, as I've always heard bad things about them. But if this ones okay, I'll try it. Thank you.

 

CCleaner = 100% safe
Not even 0.0001% unsafe.
I have CCleaner running in a few machines and for years, they work well with it.
Don't worry. I forgot 1 very strong tweak. Need time to think on that LOL. Anyway, re-install of Windows is the BEST solution if your machine is unstable like now.

 

I'm just downloading it now.

 

I ran the program, it found alot of problems, and fixed them, but the installer still wont work. Do I have to restart?

 

Most likely it is damage done by malware.
Backup & Reformat to prevent future headaches.

 

I have AVG Free, and Avast free installed, and a CA Anti-spyware (yahoo version), nothing reported a problem. Weirdly, the TEMP folder in the windows folder has Write unselected in the premissions.

 

Of course you need a restart.
But keep in mind, if is fail, you might end up doing a reformat.
Or maybe you should try some good AVs? I think is a system corrupt that cause by virus infection or some system errors.

 

For a Virus to be detected its signature must be already in the database there are chance that it can slip through
To further confirm any virus.
Under Folder Options
Select show hidden files and folders
Uncheck hide system files
Then open C:\
See if you can spot any suspicious executables

 

If you've been infected by a virus that's been messing with permissions like that, it's extremely hard to recover them. iIf you have a way to backup all your files, do that, then reformat. If this is a monumental task (like when I had two full 500GB drives and a massive windows corruption occured..) you might want to try the following first..

Update your AV, and disconnect from all networks including the big internet.
Run AV fully.

Copy all your docs that you can (if you can't at all, you can do this later)
to a folder inside of your C:\ ie: C:\mycrap.

Use your install disc and do a 'Repair Windows" or "Reinstall Windows' installation. Some of your programs may need to be reinstalled etc.

If you couldn't copy your files earlier, then copy all your personal files to a folder in your Documents or My Documents folder then skip the part in the next step about copying C:\mycrap

Next copy the entire C:\mycrap to your Documents folder. Erase all the permissions, and allow the permissions or the parent (Documents or My Documents) to propagate to that folder and all child items. There'll be check boxes to accomplish 90% of this.


Good Luck, prolly might not work (I've never fully recovered borked permissions on a large scale, never works for me), but it might, and might save you a reinstall.