Windows XP Home install problems

[KungFuHamster]

I picked up a copy of Windows XP Home, and it simply refuses to install. Here's the deal:

When the computer starts, I put the XP install CD into the drive. So far, so good.

The DOS installer shows up, and proceeds to load the initial files.

The partitioning screen appears, and I set everything up accordingly. Going good so far.

The initial file copy begins, and the trouble starts. No matter how many times I run it, the copying stops at random places, though it never gets past 4%. The program tells me it's unable to copy whatever file it's choking on, and can't continue. I've tried removing the CD and putting it back in, I've tried restarting the install, I've tried formatting with FAT32 and NTFS, and nothing works.

Please help! I'm going through War3 and Counter-Strike withdrawls!

[Grendel]

If you are getting file copy errors it can be only a few things.

Bad CD, bad CD-Rom drive, bad RAM,bad hard drive, 40 pin IDE cable instead of 80 pin for your hard drive (this is rare, and usually only on older computers).

But usually it is the RAM. If you can swap some out, try that.

[KungFuHamster]

I figured out the drive I was trying to install it on is about ready to die on me. I had to sacrifice my gentoo install to get it on, though I will be putting it back on within a few days, once I get a decent Win32 partition editor.