My new computer 2.8 g processer, 1 g memory, ge force video, 52x cd rom (built from scratch).

I received a virus of some sort last week which killed norton 2005 somehow, i could not scan from norton or scan online anywhere so I tried to reload windows xp pro. As it was copying files in the early stages it kept stopping giving me an error message that a specific file could not be copied. After performing the retry option without any luck I skipped the file which prompted a message that by skipping the file windows xp may not operate correctly. After installation windows xp did not operate successfully. I attempted to install several times with the same results although different files were not copied each time i tried (wasn't always the same files that could not be copied). I've confirmed the the windows xp cd is not damaged. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

Did you run a full reinstallation (format/create new partition/reinstall operating system) or did you run a repair?

full install, clean partition

I think listing the actual files that wouldnt go through would help as we could find information on them.

I don't think it's relevant since each time that I attempted to load windows xp (5 to 8 times) there were different files that would not copy. It was almost like at random or a glitch at a particular time or something. There was not a single file that wasn't copied during at least 1 of the install attempts.

Remove one or more sticks of memory and just run one. If it doesn't work swap them. Also remove all the pci devices and reinstall them after it is running. Obviously leave the graphics card in.

Are you forgetting to disable an antivirus utility that's setup in your system bios?

There's a spot during setup where you're asked if you have any third party drivers to install. If you're skipping that step, the motherboard or one of its components is waging war against Windows XP, and vice versa.

This takes time, and you're not the only one who has gone through "5 to 8" attempts at (re)installing an OS. I had a week off from work and spent pretty much most of every day making sure I had all my ducks in a row.

Write everything down in a notebook so you know not to repeat the same mistakes if the system crashes 18 months from now.

Hi Paityn
Per is obviously right. Your problem points 99% to a bad spot in the memory. XP and W2K use all the memory to write the setup files to the hard drive. At one time, a file hits the bad spot and then you get the error message. At next try to install XP other files hit that spot and there is the error message file cannot be copied again. I had this problem many times and each time replacing memory solved the problem.
Cheers de Peter

I have this same problem and it came after I threw a system together, but mine is the Luna.mst what ever that, is any help? would appreciate it alot!

i think it is a memory problem, i tried everything last night except anything todo with memory since i only have 1 memory stick. I guess I need to buy another one.

Just a tip nobody thinks about. Do not install one large stick of ram when building
a computer. Use two smaller ones. If one craps out, as yours might have, you still have hopefully, one good stick left and the
computer will still work.

Computer Solutions

It's fixed, thanks to all advice give. It was the memory. After I put new memory in everything went as planned. I then tested the old memory and it failed every test. The expected and actual range numbers was off a few sequence numbers as if it was jolted or something. My concern is: 1.) what caused the memory to go bad since the computer is only 1 month old, 2.) Will the new memory go bad soon as well. Any ideas? Thanks everyone.