Hardware and program installation problem(windows xp home edition)

I seem to be having a hard time with installing my
printer and also using the add/removeprogram installation
screen.

First of all the hardware installation wizard windows
just refuses to stay open for more than 4 secs not giving
me enough time to either read the instructions or hit
the "next" button.

Secondly, once i open the add/remove programs windows it
does the same thing before i can either pick a program to
uninstall or click the "add program" button.

I am going nuts, please help!

Hardware and program installation problem(windows xp home edition)