I have been having the same problem in W2k. Go to the following URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;290301. Download Windows Install Cleanup. It will list all programs that use Windows Installer. Select from the list those programs for which you are getting the Windows Installation popup. Click remove, and then reinstall the same programs (if you still want to use them). The Remove button does not remove the program. It removes the install configuration, but you still have to reinstall. It worked for me! Good luck! Now I have to go to all of those other online forums where messages about this same problem are posted. :-)