Windows Vista .net framework 3.5 SP1 wont install

I am working on a clean install of Vista Home Premium and cannot install the .net framework 3.5 SP1.

I have tried:

1. scan using malwarebytes - nothing found
2. running the .net framework uninstall tool - tool says all versions are cleaned up when run but the files remain in the Windows directory and in the registry
3. Stopped WuAuServ, rename the SoftwareDistribution file to SoftwareDistributionOLD
4. downloaded .net 3.5 through windows update again - install failed each time

Any thoughts on what I might try next short of reinstalling Windows again?
Thanks

 

Seems I solved the problem.

I made sure that ver 3.0 was enabled on the machine (it all wasn't) and downloaded ver 3.5 and 4 plus hotfix installer kb942288. I then installed 4 and the hotfix then went back and installed 3.5. restarted and searched for updates. Three more became available which installed.

Now I am installing Vista SP1