This problem can occur on some Windows XP systems when service pack 2 is installed.

If you experience the above problem while installing Darwinia, or if you experience any other problems installing the game, there is a simple fix which will solve your problem.

We have provided an identical copy of the game on the game CD which is not packaged up in an installer of any kind. This version can be found in the “gamefiles” directory on the game CD. Simply copy the files from that directory onto your harddisk (eg in the folder c:\games\darwinia) and run darwinia.exe to play the game.

Microsoft has some additional information about this problem here.

Another page with useful information on fixing this problem can be found here.