I'm installing XP and am getting the following error now 3 times: An error has been encountered that prevents setup from continuing. One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. The request could not be performed because of an I/O error. Press ok to view the setup log file. ***log file reads*** Installation failed: D:\I386\asms error message: the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. This is a system that was working with XP before but had a bunch of junk on it and I wanted a clean install so I am trying the install and have formatted already. Comments/suggestions/possibly answers??

Power management options disabled in the BIOS have made Windows XP fail to install? http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/Tips.htm http://www.pcmech.com/bios.htm http://www.pcmech.com/show/bios/22/ You may have turned off the power management options in the BIOS because they were problematic, or you were advised to because they are not necessary on a desktop PC, but Windows XP requires them to be enabled or it will lock up during the installation process. The system will keep locking up at the Windows Setup screen. Just the blue screen will show - there will be no error messages, or any other kind of feedback. So, if you are having an installation problem of this kind, change the BIOS settings for ACPI Aware OS to Yes, and Power Management to "Enabled". Moreover, if you are having problems shutting down Windows XP, or if it suspends indefinitely without turning off, use the right mouse button to click your Desktop, select Properties, click the Screen Saver tab, click the Power button, ================================= Boot without cd rom support ( using W98 boot disk ) From the A prompt > fdisk , reboot & format c: Then from the A prompt > fdisk /mbr Or, format c: Then from the A prompt > fdisk /mbr Reboot with cd rom support using W98/me boot disk with emm386 & smartdrv on . Execute SMARTDrive by typing smartdrv from the A prompt . It will only take a couple of seconds to load. Type drive:,( where drive is the drive that contains the Windows XP CD-ROM )and then press ENTER . Type cd\i386 and then press ENTER . ( hit R if unable to load ) Type winnt and then press ENTER . Windows XP Setup starts . Type the path to the Windows XP installation files , and then press ENTER . For example , type d:\i386 ( may already be there ) Setup will then begin copying all of the Windows XP system files to your machine , which can take quite a while ( hours if smartdrv has'nt engaged ) Note : Always press Enter or hit the space bar to try again , for any can't copy messages . If XP will not install . Try using a different HAL, when set up says to press F6 for third party drivers, press F5 and choose Standard PC for the type of computer . If the above HAL fails , more here . http://www.billssite.com/clean.htm http://www.networkcert.net/xp/install.htm http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811267

I just thought I would add to this old thread because I had something similiar just happen to me. I was getting the error because my CD-rom was not working correctly. I switched out for a new one and VOILA no errors.