Issue
During installation of the HP software, the following error message displays on the computer: MSI Error 1618 . The rest of the text in the error message might vary.
Workaround: Install a basic driver
You can work around this issue by installing a basic driver without troubleshooting the error. With the basic driver, the product still prints as usual. However, the product might not have all its extra functionality. For instance, if the product has CD/DVD-printing capability, the product will lose this functionality with a basic driver.
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Installing a basic driver
The following steps describe implementing this workaround to use your product now without troubleshooting the error message. This workaround does not resolve the issue , but it does provide a way for you to use your product without further troubleshooting.

If you have not already done so, close the error message window, and then cancel the installation.
Restart the HP software installation, but this time select the Express or Minimal (basic) installation option instead of the Full or Recommended option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software installation.

You can now use your product with the basic driver. However, the product might not have full functionality. If you prefer to troubleshoot the error to ensure full functionality, continue with the solutions in this document.

Solution
If you do not want to use the preceding workaround, follow these solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue. First, choose your operating system.
NOTE:Some of the following solutions require you to restart the computer. Consider bookmarking this page on your Web browser, so that you can reference it after restarting the computer.
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Windows XP
Follow these steps for the Windows XP operating system.
Step one: Save the installation files to the computer

Open a new window to browse to the Get Software and Drivers page:
Right-click this link, Get Software and Drivers , and then click Open in New Window .
If prompted, type your product number, and then click Next . You might also need to click your model in a list of similar products.
Select your operating system, and then click Next .
Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
Click Download . This option allows you to install the software at any time after the download completes.
Click Save .
Click Local Disk (C . A list of the contents on the computer's hard drive appears.
NOTE:Do not save the installation files to the Windows desktop.
Click New Folder , and then name the new folder hpdisk .
Click Save . The installation files are saved in the hpdisk folder.

Step two: Delete all temporary files

On the taskbar, click Start ( ), and then click Run .
In the Open box, type %temp% , and then click OK . The contents of the Temp folder display on the computer.
Select all the files in the Temp folder, and then press the Delete key to delete the files.
NOTE:Do not highlight or delete the Temp folder. Delete only the files in the folder. If an Access Denied message appears on the screen during the delete process, click OK to bypass the message and continue deleting files.

More @ http://www.aftatech.com/index.php?topic=101.0

A lot of things to learn

Its a common task with computer engineers

Its good to know this.