Install installs after first install

Here are the facts:
Windows 2000 workstation.
Software program assignned. It can be any .MSI program, like MS Office 2k, or any created with Winstall.
The program installs through a policy and completes.
When executing the program, it displays an Installing message. There is some network activity as it “finishes up” the install. The programs are in proper directories but seem to have not completed.
Thinking this may have something to do with user profiles being created or modified like NT.
Haven’t been able to get any answers on this.