XP Pro Component install problem

I’m having a problem when I try to install/uninstall any windows components on this client’s machine.
What happens is I go to Add/Remove programs in the control panel and click on the “Add/Remove Windows Components” button and XP runs thru it’s paces as tho I already selected what I wanted/ didn’t want and XP does it’s configuring etc. right to the “Finish” dialog so I never get a chance to change anything that’s installed.

I’ve tried many things to no avail as yet.
Any ideas?

tia,
Rick