One quick query - is the anti-virus program running during the installation? If so, turn it off (and also anything else that may be running)
PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!! I called tech support, got a technician promptly. He emailed me the clean uninstall instructions from this web site. It's not easy - you have to uninstall Roxio, when that doesn't work, which it probably won't, you have to use Windows Install Cleanup downloaded from Microsoft to get rid of the rest of the program. Then you have to manually erase the files, which is a big problem in Vista as it keeps denying access to some folders even if you are the administrator and only user on the system. That problem is solved by moving some folders to the desktop. Then you have to edit the registry, disable all startups in MSConfig, reboot and reinstall. Then reboot to finish installation and remember to re-enable startups. Vista knows that the folders on the desktop are now not active and they can be erased easily. A lot of people would not want to get so involved with Vista and it's always scary when you edit the registry unless you do that sort of stuff frequently. Anyway, this worked. I wish MS and Roxio would have more bullet-proof software that didn't run into this type of problem. Whew, I need a vacation!