Tracing and Logging of installation actions

[Kirk]

Hi,
How do you log or trace all installation actions during
software installations to XP when the application that you
are installing does not record any self logging/recording?
ie. file creation and locations registry updates etc

Is there an OS based option that will log/trace all file
transactions ie creation, deletion etc. during normal os
operatioins

Thankyou in advance
Regards Kirk