if i try to install software from my cd, i have 3 and they all act the same, sooner or later XP will say it cannot find a file, usually a .cab file. - the file exists.

if i copy the cd to my hard drive the install goes perfectly.

happened on XP Plus, Norton SystemWorks to name a couple.

all my cd's are scsi, is it that or is it XP.

any opinion welcomed

My guess- the medium-Less than top tier or dirty CDs.
Sounds like the disk is not being *Read* properly. The medium,or the reader [[CD reader].
That is if they are the factory disks. If not-is there other stuff on the disks but the intended program? Multi-session?
That could be it.
I would bet media.

Another possibility is the CD drive lens need cleaning ?

[img:1c4acf2e9b]http://kean.orcon.net.nz/jupflag1.gif[/img:1c4acf2e9b]

just to add info, i have 3 cd drives on the machine all act the same, i have reburnt cd's at 4 times and the install still falls over, i have modified the layout of the cd by adding other files before burning thus moving the position of the file on the cd, all in vain, the install always stops on the same file, as i said it is always a compressed file.

it must be xp and my system [i think !!!!]

what video card r you using? this is a reported problem with XP using some video cards, cant remember wich one(s) @ d moment :o , but you can try to find @ M$ support site:rolleyes:
hope it helps:)

I had the same problem with m.s Office , went to there site and found 4 of there top programs had the same problem and they recommended that you copied the cd to hard drive and installed it .
stumuzz.;)

That's right,

Simply install from the hard drive :)

This is what I have do with The Devilsown copy and I run it since september ;)