Install "Cannot copy" several files

[Chris]

If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
what might be causing this problem, that would be really
special.

I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
computer store to install on a home built computer.
After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when
I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
skip. Another random file (they change every time I've
tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and
another...finally, I quit the install.

I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),
but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,
same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,
no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
install from, kaput.

What in the world is going on?

[Nicholas]

Carefully examine the Windows XP CD. Are there any scratches, smudges
or fingerprints on it? Clean the CD with a mild household cleaner and =
wipe
it with a soft cloth. Try running setup again.

Every time I had the problem of not being able to copy files, the =
solution
was to clean the installation CD. Even a light fingerprint on the CD =
can
adversely affect file copying.


--=20
Nicholas

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Chris" > wrote in message:
...

| If someone could lead me in the right direction as to=20
| what might be causing this problem, that would be really=20
| special.
|=20
| I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus=20
| computer store to install on a home built computer. =20
| After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I=20
| began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when=20
| I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:=20
| abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It=20
| gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or=20
| quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I=20
| skip. Another random file (they change every time I've=20
| tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and=20
| another...finally, I quit the install.
|=20
| I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),=20
| but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,=20
| same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,=20
| no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to=20
| install from, kaput.
|=20
| What in the world is going on?

[Chris]

Brand new disc right out of the packaging. It is the
second disc I have tried; the first didn't work either,
so I exchanged it for the second.

I have had three of four MotherBoard/Hard Drive
combinations tried out: old MB/old HD, old MB/new HD,
new MB/old HD. The new hard drive I exchanged for a new
motherboard when I determined that I was getting the same
problem. So now, I am about to go out and re-purchase
the hard drive to see if new MB/new HD will do any good.

>-----Original Message-----
>Carefully examine the Windows XP CD. Are there any
scratches, smudges
>or fingerprints on it? Clean the CD with a mild
household cleaner and wipe
>it with a soft cloth. Try running setup again.
>
>Every time I had the problem of not being able to copy
files, the solution
>was to clean the installation CD. Even a light
fingerprint on the CD can
>adversely affect file copying.
>
>
>--
>Nicholas
>
>---------------------------------------------------------
------------
>
>"Chris" > wrote in message:
> ...
>
>| If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
>| what might be causing this problem, that would be
really
>| special.
>|
>| I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
>| computer store to install on a home built computer.
>| After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
>| began the install. It copies about 3% of the files
when
>| I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
>| abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
>| gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
>| quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
>| skip. Another random file (they change every time
I've
>| tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another,
and
>| another...finally, I quit the install.
>|
>| I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other
one),
>| but get the same result. I had tried a new hard
drive,
>| same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another
one,
>| no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
>| install from, kaput.
>|
>| What in the world is going on?
>.
>

[Dr Robin Bignall]

On Fri, 9 May 2003 15:22:55 -0700, "Chris" > wrote:

>If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
>what might be causing this problem, that would be really
>special.
>
>I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
>computer store to install on a home built computer.
>After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
>began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when
>I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
>abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
>gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
>quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
>skip. Another random file (they change every time I've
>tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and
>another...finally, I quit the install.
>
>I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),
>but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,
>same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,
>no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
>install from, kaput.
>
>What in the world is going on?

Having got as far as copying files, you are obviously booting successfully,
and, if you hadn't swapped so much of the hardware, I'd suspect hardware to
be at the bottom of it. But you have, and I'm afraid I do not have much of
a clue. Have you tried checking all of the connections, seating of the RAM
and anything else which may cause intermittent hardware problems? Fans all
working, no overheating? No funny beeps on power up? Of course you have,
and I shall look forward, with you, to seeing if anyone has an explanation.

--

wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall

Remote Hertfordshire
England

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/docrobin/homepage.htm

[Crusty \(-: Old Bastard :-\)]

I would suspect my RAM, if I were you! Yeah! I know. It's good right?
Suspect it anyway! Change it out with a single compatible (check your M/B
manual) RAM module of the size you desire. Then, try installing again.

I had this same problem on a computer I built for my oldest son, about 1 1/2
years ago. No operating system, of any vintage, would install. I finally
found RAM that worked. He has not had a problem since.

"Chris" > wrote in message
...
> If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
> what might be causing this problem, that would be really
> special.
>
> I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
> computer store to install on a home built computer.
> After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
> began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when
> I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
> abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
> gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
> quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
> skip. Another random file (they change every time I've
> tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and
> another...finally, I quit the install.
>
> I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),
> but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,
> same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,
> no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
> install from, kaput.
>
> What in the world is going on?

[Fred]

On Sat, 10 May 2003 00:22:21 +0100, Dr Robin Bignall
> wrote:

>On Fri, 9 May 2003 15:22:55 -0700, "Chris" > wrote:
>
>>If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
>>what might be causing this problem, that would be really
>>special.
>>
>>I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
>>computer store to install on a home built computer.
>>After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
>>began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when
>>I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
>>abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
>>gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
>>quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
>>skip. Another random file (they change every time I've
>>tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and
>>another...finally, I quit the install.
>>
>>I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),
>>but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,
>>same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,
>>no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
>>install from, kaput.
>>
>>What in the world is going on?
>
>Having got as far as copying files, you are obviously booting successfully,
>and, if you hadn't swapped so much of the hardware, I'd suspect hardware to
>be at the bottom of it. But you have, and I'm afraid I do not have much of
>a clue. Have you tried checking all of the connections, seating of the RAM
>and anything else which may cause intermittent hardware problems? Fans all
>working, no overheating? No funny beeps on power up? Of course you have,
>and I shall look forward, with you, to seeing if anyone has an explanation.

It sounds like it may be the CDRom. Maybe the cable is loose, or has
a bad wire.

But, if it is not the disk, it is a hardware problem.

[Microbes@Work]

This typically means BAD RAM.

AC


On Fri, 9 May 2003 15:22:55 -0700, "Chris" > wrote:

>If someone could lead me in the right direction as to
>what might be causing this problem, that would be really
>special.
>
>I recently purchased Windows XP Pro from the campus
>computer store to install on a home built computer.
>After formatting both partitions of the hard drive, I
>began the install. It copies about 3% of the files when
>I get an error message: "Setup cannot copy the file:
>abcxyz.sys" where abcxyz.sys is any random file. It
>gives me the option of retrying, skipping the file, or
>quitting installation. Retrying doesn't work, so I
>skip. Another random file (they change every time I've
>tried a fresh install) cannot be copied. And another, and
>another...finally, I quit the install.
>
>I bought a new motherboard (didn't like the other one),
>but get the same result. I had tried a new hard drive,
>same problem. I even exchanged the disc for another one,
>no good. Finally, I added a different CD drive to
>install from, kaput.
>
>What in the world is going on?