During Windows XP installation, installation stops and displays the following message: "Error: SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file "e:\I386\asms\6000\MSFT\WINDOWS\COMMON\CONTROLS\CONTROLS.MAN" on line 0. *** Fatal Error: One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. Manifest Parse Error : Invalid at the top level of the document." Please help, please help. Any ladies and Gentlments out there know what this is and how to go about to overcome it? Please help. This installation is performed using Windows XP Professional CDs ( two CDs). Please help.

Do a surface-scan of your harddisc. If it tells you that its ok, go to the shop and tell them, request some new CDs! Probably some manufactureing error.

Hi, Did you solve it??? I've got same error! On two computers. Strange...

Actually you can get around having to do a full reinstall by letting the system restart after it encounters the error and removing the windows CD. It will continue setup right where you left off and ask for the 'asms' file and you simply click ok and it will let you enter in the path to the file. At this point you insert a floppy disk which you've made to have the complete file tree(all folders the same) as on the CD down to the CONTROLS.MAN file. Make sure that your CONTROLS.MAN file is correct(4kb or so) and then in the path change 'E:/I386' to 'A:/I386' and hit enter. this should do the trick. It will read the Manifest file from the floppy and when it's done it asks you to reinsert the Windows CD and installation continues as normal. Email me if you have any other questions as I have done this install numerous times. Adios and Good Luck

Where can i get the controls.man file, because if i get it from the WinXP CD, it still gives me the same manifest parse error. Any suggestions on where I can get the file off the net?