have added a new 400GB HD as my C drive the format was fine but then when it tries to copy the files from the CD is says "setup cannot copy the file: ntdll.dll" i tried again but it said the same thing so i just hit ESC to skip the file (it was the long install not the quick one) will not having this file cause problems and is there a way to install it later? Thanks very much

The first couple of times I installed XP I got some of those "Unable to copy xyz file" errors. Although the instal did complete there were problems that only became evident later. The common cause of these type errors during setup is faulty ram. Download and run memtest86. Fix the hardware problem then format and reinstal. I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

You may find, that when you get SP2, everything is OK. Here is some extra info on SFC. Click Start and then click Run. In the Open box, type sfc /scannow, and then click OK. Note that you may be prompted to insert the Windows XP installation CD-ROM. Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310747 Windows System File Checker Tool(MS Q310747) http://sft-cyber.com/File%20Ck.htm If the Dllcache folder becomes damaged or unusable, as an administrator, you can check and repopulate the %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache folder. 1. Use the Sfc /scanonce to scan all protected system files one time 2. Use sfc.exe to scan all protected system files and replace incorrect version with correct Microsoft versions ======================================= When you run sfc /scannow it restores all of the original Windows files into the %windir%\system32\dllcache folder. You can remove them by running sfc /purgecache http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/drvsign/wfp.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmb_tol_lkth.asp

Had the same problem after updating my PSU. Took days to work it out-windows was crashing on boot and when I tried to reinstall XP-I got same error and others-turned out new PSU was a bit too much for one stick of RAM which blew. Removed it and sorted but not before I had bought a new mobo, HD and memory :-(