How to Troubleshoot the Setup of Microsoft Word and Office in XP

1. Click 'Start.' Right-click 'My Computer.' Choose 'Properties' from the contextual menu to open 'System Properties.'
2. Click the 'General' tab and look under 'System' to see which version of Windows XP is installed to the computer. Microsoft Word 2010 won't run on Windows XP Professional 64-bit or Windows XP without Service Pack 3.
3. Restart the computer. Press 'F8' at the boot screen to load Windows Advanced Boot Options.
4. Use the up- and down-arrow keys to select 'Safe Mode.' Press 'Enter' to load Windows XP in Safe Mode.
5. Sign on to Windows XP as an administrator. Close all open applications. Disable real-time protection on your antivirus and firewall applications, as these services can interfere with the installation of Microsoft Word and other Office programs.
6. Check the surface of the Microsoft Office DVD for scratches or marks. Use a soft, antistatic cloth to wipe the surface of the disc up-and-down and side-to-side. Don't clean the disc in a circular motion.
7. Insert the DVD into the disc drive. Click 'Start.' Click 'Computer.' Double-click the letter assigned to the disc drive to launch setup.
8. Hold down 'Ctrl,' 'Shift' and 'Esc' to open Windows Task Manager.
9. Click to the 'Applications' tab to keep track of the MS Office installation. Check the 'Status' field to see whether or not Task Manager lists the installer as 'Running' or 'Not Responding.' Although the Microsoft Word installation may seem as if it's frozen, if Task Manager shows the status as 'Running' then setup is still active.