VMware Player Setup Dialog Box is BLANK on Install or Uninstall

I have spent 2-3 hours combing through the discussion boards and I can't find a solution. I've also noticed that this is a very common issue and many of the solutions don't actually apply to the problem. hey tend to be generic fixes or fixes for other Windows versions (which might work) or other software (which don't seem to work at all). So please (please) don't refer me to solutions that don't specifically address the issue. On the other hand, please do add actual fixes that actually worked so that the next poor slob who has this error will find useful info all in one place. Thanks :-)

Host computer: Windows XP Pro (32-bit)

Previously installed VMware Player 3.something and it worked fine.

I recall the same error back when I installed it 1-2 years ago, but I can't recall the fix I used.

I downloaded, verified, and then ran the latest Player (VMware-player-5.0.2-1031769)

I got a blank "VMware Player Setup" Dialog Box.

I waited for 5-10 minutes and with nothing happening I did an "End Task".

I rebooted the computer and tried again. Same problem.

I searched for an answer here and realized I had to uninstall the Player 3.xxx first.

Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> VMware Player -> Uninstall = the same problem (blank Dialog Box)

I checked the error log the error is: ERROR** CHtmlDialog::CallJScript: Failed to obtain required required jscript ID; COM Error: -2147352570

I ran the VMware_Install_Cleaner.exe, deleted temp folder contents, rebooted, and tried uhninstall -> same problem

I tried the fix here: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1027986

1. Open a command prompt. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892).
2. Run these commands to re-register the necessary files and details:
   • If VMware Workstation is installed on a 32-bit version of Windows:
     • regsvr32 jscript.dll
     • regsvr32 vbscript.dll

I received a message that both had succeeded. I restrted Windows (rebooted), cleaned up temp folder, tried to uninstall -> same problem

I stopped my AV software and tried to uninstall again -> same problem

I deleted the contents of the temp folder and tried uninstall again -> same problem

I cleaned up the Registry, rebooted and tried the uninstall again -> same problem

I tried installing without uninstalling. I tried various suggestions including unpacking the file into a folder (vmplayer) on the root of C:, and manually installing using the x86 msi file. That method failed because of multiple errors.

So...

1) How do I uninstall the player 3.xxx version and clean up so that I have a clean,no vmware player system?

2) How do I install the player 5.xxx without this blank dialog box error.

Thank you.