Earthlink Uninstall Snafu

.After cancelling my earthlink internet access, I went to add/remove programs to rid my system of their 275mb buggy software--but their uninstaller failed.....so I tried to remove all references from program files and the registry.....What I am left with now is an annoying pop up which states "windows installer is preparing to install- earthlink pop-up blocker"; then an error message #2718 - these both will appear 2-3 times while trying to delete---this occurs at startup, when opening msie, my computer, others.......it can be stopped by disabling allow 3rd party plug ins in ie tools but this stops other wanted activity as well....................Do you have any helpful ideas? The operating system is windows xp professional.

Thanks;

Nathan