Solving Visual Studio 2005 CTP Install Errors

This evening, I kept getting errors while trying to install VS 2005 CTP on a Windows XP box. Right in the middle of the install process, an unrevealing error message appeared - “Installation could not continue“. With a bit of work, I successfully managed to circumvent these errors:

1) Once you encounter an error, go to your Temp directory and search for text files containing the error logs
2) In my case, the error logs revealed that the installation could not continue because the installer detected a previous copy of Visual Studio on my laptop
3) I brought up the Add/Remove applet and looked for any indication of Visual Studio. All I found was a copy of the .NET Framework v.2.0 - the likely culprit
4) I uninstalled the .NET Framework v.2.0, rebooted and tried reinstalling VS 2005 CTP
5) The .NET Framework 2.0 installed successfully then the system requested another reboot
6) The installer produced another error
7) Back to the error log in the Temp directory
8) This time, VS 2005 CTP threw an error because the J# redistributables did not install correctly
9) Relaunched the installer, reinstalled the J# files and VS 2005 CTP
10) Success!

Moral of the story: When unrevealing errors occur, look at the log files.

Speaking of Visual Studio, I've just learned that I've been signed up for the Whidbey Beta program!
I'll share my experiences with the product as soon as I receive the DVDs...