B09: can't install on XP - stuck in uninstall loop 'Confirming File Deletion'

Using j2sdk-1_4_1-beta-windows-i586.exe, an sdk cannot be installed on
our XP machine. Current hopper behavior for the windows install shield
installer has been to detect an installed SDK, request 'Confirm File Deletion'
and then exit. Clicking on the executable again usually begins the true
isntallation process (why not in same step?) however, now it seems that
the process just begins anew, reaches the 'Confirm File Deletion' each time.
Thus no sdk can get installed.

The C: drive on this particular XP machine has limited amount of
space ~337 MB but the E: drive has one gig of space. Launching
from either drive yields the same uninstall loop.

The registry shows that we have both 1.4 and 1.4.1 installed
though all sdk's were manually removed. Attempted removing
the registry keys with no success. The keys returned; the uninstall
loop behavior remained.

Specs on the XP machine:
Windows XP Profession 2002
machine name "duotronic"
version 5.1 Build2600.xpclient.010817-1148
mem available: 130,596 KB

Bundle was copied from
/java/re/jdk/1.4.1/promoted/beta/b09/bundles


Need a workaround--can only copy installed win bits from
/import/javasoft..