I am running windows xp pro sp3.
I recently had a virus. got help from virus forum on this site. Thread title ( how do I REMOVE virus/ spyware)
Since then I have tried to install adobe reader and flash player. Flash shows that it installs, however web pages do not recognize that it is there. Adobe reader starts to install and gives me the following message.

Error 1402 could not open key.
hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run\optionalcomponents\imail.
verify that you have sufficient access to that key.

I have tried the help on adobe's site and have tried to download from both ie and firefox.

please help.Here is a link to the "Adobe" forums. Your issue is quite common it appears. This particular link deals with a specific solution but my perusal of their site indicates many other approaches to this problem. So if this one doesn't do it dig more into the site. Good luck, truenorth
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/719784 Alternatively, you can uninstall Adobe Reader (33.5 MB), download and install Foxit PDF Reader(3.5MB) from HERE.
It's a MUCH smaller file to download and uses a lot less resources than Adobe Reader.
Note: When installing FoxitReader, MAKE sure to UN-check any pre-checked toolbar, or other garbage.
On this page:



make sure, you have both boxes UN-checked AND (important!) click on DECLINE button
DLoad and install Foxit...