I built a new PC from the ground up with all name brand and high-end components. I installed WinXP Pro ....and had tons and tons of errors and problems ....even after installing SP1 and hot fixes. So, I fdisk'd and started over. This time, during the early and mid stages of the install ....I'm seeing error messages: 1) During the initial copying of files from the CD to the hard drive (just after the reformat to NTFS) I get "Setup cannot copy the file: hid.dll" I skipped the file -- no other choice would work. This part finished. 2) The machine rebooted - and windows gui begain it's install. As soon as it started "Installing Devices" ...it rebooted itself ...which didn't appear to be an expected event. After the restart ...it installed the devices fine. 3) Then ....I get tons of Copy Errors: Setup cannot copy the file cmprops.dl_ (skipped the file - no other choice) Setup cannot copy the file licwmi.dl_ (skipped the file ....) Does this appear to be a problem with my WinXP CD ? Or, a problem with my hard drive? It's a new WD 120GB 8MB Cache Special Edition hard drive. And, the CD is very new -- only used it to load WinXP on 3 other machines (this is a 5 user license). Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Brian

Neither. I'd guess RAID/ATAxxx controller, memory, IDE cables . . . in that order. But it would help immensely if you'd give your system specs.

Memory is a good bet. get memtest86 and run it.

System specs: Lian-Li PC60 USB Alum Case Antec 430w 12v True Power PSU Gigabyte GA81HXP mobo P4 2.26 533 2ea Kingston 256MB RDRAM Ti 4600 video SB Audigy Plat sound WD 120GB 8MB Cache HD (single drive no RAID) TDK VeloCD 48x Burner Pioneer A04 DVD Burner Newly built system. I tried my other master set of MS WindowXP Pro CD ....and same results. Also, just ran WD's hard drive diagnostics ....found NO errors on the hard drive. Any ideas?? I'm at a loss now. How can I test for some of the items you mentioned tropic....the ATA controller primarily? I can get other RDRAM and other cables. I'm using the good round cables...fyi. It doesn't appear to be the CD or the hard drive after my latest tests. Thanks for any help

I just ran memtest86 ....and a ton of errors were reported. However, given my lack of experience with this diagnostic tool ....and given that it appears to be pretty complex, I'm not sure I can be certain of whether or not I actually have 'bad' memory ...according to the author's notes on the website. I may simply go buy some PC1066 ...and see if it works. I just hope that Kingston will take this memory back ....for a full refund !! Thoughts?

You may consider entering your computer's BIOS and lowering your memory speed and performance settings. Install XP, and then put the settings back where they were.

Well, I'm up and running finally (knock on wood !!) I cannot be absolutely certain which of the things I did worked ....but here are the things I performed: 1) Re-seated all RDRAM modules 2) fdisk'd the master boot record (fdisk /mbr) 3) ONLY deleted the NTFS partition using win98 boot disk 4) Created a single partition using the WinXP CD (as opposed to doing this when booting from the 98boot disk) 5) Told the bios that I have "PC800" memory ...instead of allowing it to AUTO detect. So, again ....not sure what made it work. But, thus far .....everything is going well. I've even downloaded and installed the WinXP SP1 among other updates. Thanks to everyone for your help and ideas.