Java APIs

Hello, I am just a normal user of Java, I am no programmer but knew of nowhere else to post this. While installing the latest Java at the period where it says "Registering Java Runtime Environment" an error pops up saying "Error: no 'client' JVM at C:\Program Files\Java\jre 1.6_._._\bin\client\jvm.dll". This error appears everytime I try to install Java. I have tried deleting the deployment.properties file, disabling any malware/virus blockers, I have made sure each install is a clean one, and while watching the ...\bin\client folder, I see that near the beginning of the install it makes a jvm.dll, but when it gets to the "applying patches" part of the install it changes the jvm.dll to a RT~~~ temporary file, but by the time it reaches the end of the install it never changes it back to jvm.dll. I have tried manually renaming it, and putting a working jvm.dll in the folder from another computer; all to no avail. I have also tried installing older versions of Java. I don't know what else to do. I am running Windows Vista SP1, and Java used to work, but I tried to update from 1.6 update 5 to 1.6 update 6, and the problems began. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.