hi i just format my computer and im now trying to install windows xp pro. everything was ok until the files were coping from the cd to the harddrive. i got this error message and i don't no what it is please help ! here is the message. FATAL ERROR an error has been encountered that prevents setup form continuing. one of the components that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. MANIFEST PARSE ERROR: invalid at the top of the document. press ok to view the setup log file. i clicked ok and then a next window wit text came up.this is what it said... SYSTEM SETUP LOG - "(C:\WINDOWS\SETUPERR.LOG) error: sxs.dll: syntax error in manifest or policy file : "E:\l386\ams\6000\msft\windows\common\controls\controls.man" on line 0. xxx error: installation failed e:\l386\asms. error message: manifest parse error: invalid at the top level of the dcument. xxx FATAL ERROR: one of the componnenets that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed. manifest parse error: invalid at the top level of the document. xxx error: sxs.dll: syntax error in manifest or policy file "e:\l286\asms\6000\msft\windows\common\controls\controls.man" on line 0. xxx 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. xxx thatz all it said i don't have anymore info on this i don't no whats goin on really if u can tell me or help me setup my windows i'll be greatful thankz ron.b

Providing the system is OK for XP, start with checking the RAM installed. XP is fussy about RAM specs. (as is NT/W2K/'9x(ME) - each to varying degrees). Problems during setup that refer to difficulties when copying files are frequently (but not always) due to RAM. Either it's not upto par or one or more sticks is failing/has failed. It may be OK for '9x but not for XP. You appear to have a single 128Meg stick? Perhaps beg/borrow etc. a fresh known good stick and see it allows the install. A workaround that 'sometimes' works OK; copy the i386 folder to the drive and run setup from there?

I have had very similar issues and it has indeed been due to bad RAM (well, not really *bad*, just misunderstood!). Even if the RAM stick worked in another system, the XP install was very particular about it.

Hi Ron. Hi Guy's. Ron have you tried to reinstall XP again ?. It may be just a glitch, reformat and have another try.

I have had the same problem with installing Windows XP Pro. I have plenty of RAM (256) and my computer is fairly new. I think in my case its a corrupt CD. Is this an XP Pro problem and will it be the same if I try to install a Home Edition version of Win XP? Has anybody had this problem and resolved it (ie found it to be something else besides a RAM problem)? HELP! I am at my wits end.

Same problem with both versions of XP? Presuming the system is OK otherwise for XP (MoBo/drivers etc are correct)... I'd still be looking at RAM first - even if the system is 'new'. As already stated problems "copying files" during setup are not infrequent for NT/W2K/XP if RAM is not all that it might be... I have yet to come across a defective CD from M$ or IBM... which does not preclude the possibilty... The amount of RAM is not the issue; it's the condition/state of the RAM stick(s). RAM quality control does not appear to be as good as might be, or is that each generation of OS is more demanding than the last??? Incidentally as similar problem arrived for another poster at: http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/98877.html The route that resolved it (at least for the moment) was to install XP from the hard-drive. "Sandman" offered a pretty detailed how to go about it - to his credit. It may work for you? Whilst this may resolve the situtation for you too, I'd still be less than confident/re-assured about the state of the installed RAM. Too may systems come with lower spec RAM, and it can make itself felt at any time...