windows installation error

server 2003. Win XP SP 3 desktop
Setting up client machine.

Had Office 2003 installed. got an error message every time I launched or shut down Excel. research said it was a Adobe conflict issue.
I uninstalled both Adobe Reader and Office. Found pieces of a previous install of Office. Used a 3rd party uninstaller to remove all bits of Office.
When I tried a clean install of Office 2003, I get a windows Installer error telling me that the Administrator has Policies to prevent installation of program. I can install any none Microsoft product just fine.
I have followed MS suggestions, but there are no GPO or local policies in place that I can locate.
Any ideas, short of blowing out the machine and starting over?