“Patch Package could not be opened”

Strange problem. Unable to run any MS product on the machine (Windows 2000). All get the “patch package” error. All started when update for IE6 SP1 was applied (this just may have revealed the issue)

Steps taken:

Created new user with admin rights. failed
Verified DCOM: Failed
Verified Full Control to System: Failed
Verified Registry Permissions (Regedt32): Failed
Fixed Broken Security Key: Failed
Totally reinstalled MS installer 2.0: Failed
Totally reinstalled Windows 2000: Failed
Deleted msisip.dll Failed
SFC /scannow Failed
Booted fm Win2K CD and ran repair: Failed
Ran Hotfix Msiregmv.exe : Failed

Ref MS “knowledge” base: 295823,319624,236597, 229819,238413,324906,238414, etc

Any other ideas besides Format?

thx,

Dan Lanier
Analyst II, Georgia Southern University