re-install windows

I'v been some having problems with "Windows Installer Service" so i thought i should re-install (upgrade) winXP.

about 70% into install it froze during "installing devices ".
after about 4 attempts, i removed all non-vital devices from PC.

I left only video card, CD, HD, then tried again.

this time, i got error "windows could not find installer for GPIB ", after pressing OK, it continued.

question, why did it freeze when LAN and/or sound card were installed, and what does the error message mean??

... also the "windows installer" still does not work (I can't instal anything that uses it), why wouldn't this repair the W.I.

thnx

 

Here's a MS webpage that tells how to go about fixing error 1719. You didn't say what error you get when you try to install something but I thought I would post a link anyway as the page tells how you reinstall the windows installer.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315346