Internal Failure Error

When I try to install certain programs in Win2K or XP I get a dialog box titled Internal Failure that shows Error number:0x80040707 This happens on a couple of networked desktops, on a laptop and with programs like Black Ice, WinDVD,or Intel Pocket Pc drivers. Regardless of the program or machine it is exactly the same error. I have the correct drivers and they do install correctly on one 2000 machine but I can’t really see why except that it is a clone instead on a Compaq or Toshiba (which are the ones that don’t work). This has failed on a 2000 machine with srv pack 1 and service pack 2. I tried a clean install on XP and still got the error. I am unable to find information on the microsoft site. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.