Better late than never...but I also feel a clean install would definitely fix the issue.
While it is a little time consuming...it would definitely fix the problem. If you can back up everything you want to save...and either get the recovery software...or an operating system CD...do a fresh install.
To be perfectly honest...this is the first time I've ever run across a situation where the latest version of Java couldn't be installed...unless the download was corrupt...the operating system was corrupt...permission settings...or malware related.
Don't worry, though...I'll be attending the services. as well.
Good luck!
