Completely unable to install Python on Windows

[v1p3r]

I'm attempting to install Python 2.5.2 (python-2.5.2.amd64.msi) on my
Vista SP1 x64 system, but the installer always crashes with a "Windows
Installer has stopped working" error after clicking Next on the
initial screen.

I've tried the following so far:

1. x86 and x64 versions
2. Manually reinstalling Windows Installer 4.5
3. Forcing msiexec to run as administrator
4. Installing both globally and for my user alone
5. Silent install
6. The previous version (2.5.1)
7. Repeating the above with a completely clean install of Vista SP1
x64 in VMWare

It seems that no matter what I do, the problem persists. ActivePython
produces a similar error, but much later in the install.

This has me completely baffled, since nobody else seems to have a
similar issue despite it happening on a completely stock install of
Windows. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Josh

(The output of msiexec with logging enabled follows)

=== Logging started: 02/09/2008  23:11:12 ===
Action 23:11:12: INSTALL.
Action start 23:11:12: INSTALL.
Action 23:11:12: LaunchConditions. Evaluating launch conditions
Action start 23:11:12: LaunchConditions.
Action ended 23:11:12: LaunchConditions. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:12: WhichUsersDlg.
Action start 23:11:12: WhichUsersDlg.
Info 2898. For VerdanaBold10 textstyle, the system created a 'Verdana'
font, in 1 character set, of 16 pixels height.
Info 2898. For DlgFont8 textstyle, the system created a 'Tahoma' font,
in 1 character set, of 14 pixels height.
Action 23:11:12: WhichUsersDlg. Dialog created
Action ended 23:11:14: WhichUsersDlg. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: FindRelatedProducts. Searching for related applications
Action start 23:11:14: FindRelatedProducts.
Action ended 23:11:14: FindRelatedProducts. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: AppSearch. Searching for installed applications
Action start 23:11:14: AppSearch.
Action ended 23:11:14: AppSearch. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: CCPSearch. Searching for qualifying products
Action start 23:11:14: CCPSearch.
Action ended 23:11:14: CCPSearch. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: RMCCPSearch. Searching for qualifying products
Action start 23:11:14: RMCCPSearch.
Action ended 23:11:14: RMCCPSearch. Return value 0.
Action 23:11:14: ValidateProductID.
Action start 23:11:14: ValidateProductID.
Action ended 23:11:14: ValidateProductID. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: InitialTargetDir.
Action start 23:11:14: InitialTargetDir.
Action ended 23:11:14: InitialTargetDir. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: SetDLLDirToSystem32.
Action start 23:11:14: SetDLLDirToSystem32.
Action ended 23:11:14: SetDLLDirToSystem32. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: CostInitialize. Computing space requirements
Action start 23:11:14: CostInitialize.
Action ended 23:11:14: CostInitialize. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: FileCost. Computing space requirements
Action start 23:11:14: FileCost.
Action ended 23:11:14: FileCost. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: IsolateComponents.
Action start 23:11:14: IsolateComponents.
Action ended 23:11:14: IsolateComponents. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: CostFinalize. Computing space requirements
Action start 23:11:14: CostFinalize.
Action ended 23:11:14: CostFinalize. Return value 1.
Action 23:11:14: MigrateFeatureStates. Migrating feature states from
related applications
Action start 23:11:14: MigrateFeatureStates.
Action ended 23:11:14: MigrateFeatureStates. Return value 0.
Action 23:11:14: SelectDirectoryDlg.
Action start 23:11:14: SelectDirectoryDlg.