win xp failed to install any .cab file from CD

[cloudair]

Hi there,

I am getting a bit desperate here.. Really will like to have some help and advise..

I got 3 computers )workstation at home, all running winxp pro. 2 are sp1 and 1 just standard winxp and 1 server running windows server 2003.
From about a month ago, I start to receive error message whenever I install a software from a CD. No matter what software, if the installation consists of installing a .cab file, it will return an error:
"Error 1131 source file not found. Please make sure the file is ready and access is allow."
That happens to autocad, max, viz, even games if there is a .cab file involved in the installation. I can work around it with putting all the files on the harddrive and install it from there. But now i had a software that can only allows me to install from a CD. if I placed the files on the harddrive and run setup, it will request to install from the CD.

I had nero 6 install, so i figure I can create an image drive (virtual CD) by firstly ripping the CD contents into an ISO file and mount it as a CD. However the result is exactly the same, still errors.

So I went on to another machine and install, exactly the same thing happens. ALL 3 WINDOWS XP MACHINES DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING.
I tried to install it on the server (win server 2003) and it works there... But I don't want to install it onto the server though..

Okei.. so i try to isolate down a few things:
1. Is not about which version of windows xp (sp 1 or standard) but it is something within windows xp.
2. Is not about nav (i had Nav 7.6 Corp Edition on server and clients installed on XP) as I had not installed the Nav client on 1 of the XP machines (the other 2 has it).
3. It is something about the CD drive, but it is not about the hardware, as I had tried to installed the same CD, from 4 different CD drives on 3 XP machines.
4. It is about the CD either. It is a brand new original CD, i just bought it.

The last common thing I can think of is that i got nero 6 on all 3 xp machines, I am not sure if that will create any problems.

In terms of windows services, I had turned on windows installer service but still no joy.

Personally I think the problem has to do with Windows XP unable to read the path or find the path that points to the .cab file when installing from a CD.

I am really stuck here. If anyone can help me, I will deeply appreciate it as currently I am stuck with looking at my new software CD instead of installing it..

Thanks heaps

Cheers
Winston

[jimfraz]

Originally Posted by cloudair

Hi there,

I am getting a bit desperate here.. Really will like to have some help and advise..

...No matter what software, if the installation consists of installing a .cab file, it will return an error:
"Error 1131 source file not found. Please make sure the file is ready and access is allow."

Pardon me, cloudair,

If you are still around, did you ever solve this problem? If so, may I ask how? A friend of mine is having the same problem on his machine that we just set up. We cannot seem to install any programs from the CD or DVD drive and he is receiving the very same error that you did. We are running Windows XP Home Edition on a Pentium 4 3.0 Gig processor with 1 Gig of RAM. Anyone have any suggestions for us?

Thanks for any help y'all can provide!

-fraz-

[Overclocked Doc]

I'd be very suspect of the CD Rom drive itself. That is a very common problem.

[jimfraz]

Originally Posted by Overclocked Doc

I'd be very suspect of the CD Rom drive itself. That is a very common problem.

Thanks for taking the time to reply! I was beginning to come to that same conclusion.

-fraz-

[Marcus007]

Hi everyone with this problem,

I've been in this problem for two months now and tried every possible
solution I could find but in no prevail.

Here's my solution: I had a 256Mb and 128Mb memorystick in my PC till I
swapped the 256Mb for a 512MB stick from PCWrld.

Since that change I have had cab installation problems and I've swapped
the 512Mb stick with the 256Mb stick and VOILA! it works!

Suggestion: try taking out any memorystick from your slots and leave at
least one 128Mb in, and see if it works with your cab file installations.
If this wouldn't work try swapping another memorystick.

I didn't only have problems with like OFFICE1.cab and DATA1.cab but also
from cab-files from adobe photoshop CS2 and Coreldraw Graphics Suite X3
and many others.

Hopefully this works for you, and good luck!

Cheers, Marcus

[pbate19]

I have no memory sticks plugged in or have one to plug in and I'm having the same problem.

[astacha]

I'm very suspicious that it's my DVD-RW drive actually. Sometimes it'll stop reading discs and it's having trouble extracting .rpm packages when I want to install Links, and that's different packages each time, not the same package each time. All my disks are clean. All I can think of is the drive didn't copy a certian file, or something, over when installing windows, or there was a tiny error. Anyway, ordering a New DVR-+RW drive today and when I get I'll post on here to let you all know.

[astacha]

Well I got my new DVD-RW drive, installed it, re-formmated my HDD, Re-installed windows and get the same problem. Also tried upodating Mobo drivers, updating the BIOS, same thing. Swapped the IDE cable to secondry channel and still the same. Also my linux CDs arn't installing on my PC either. Only thing I can do is try to install vista and see if the same thing happens.

[egyamado]

THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW.

You are my hero man!!!
I have been stuck for a MONTH, thinking the problem with my OS or my software. I didn't think once it will be the hardware, which is weird for me.

Here's what happened.
I have PC with 80GB HD, 1.5GB Ram, with ASUS motherboard is able to be upgrade up to (4 slots)4GB RAM.

So i bought new 400GB Hard Disk, and 2 sticks of RAM each one is 1GB (2 X 1GB).


I was so happy because my PC will be faster and rocket, but it was sucks for almost a month. It was triable.

I'm web developer/Designer, so computer is my life. Because what happened i didn't work for a month.

Any way, i'm installing my software and i'll put the ram back so i can enjoy my rocket after being turtle(y) for a month..

On the other hand, for more than 3 moth now and after i tried VISTA, i think Microsoft NEEEEEEDS to focus more on capability and quality better than quantity. I respect them but, being them focus on MONEY more and market it does effect my work, which is making me thinking many times to move to another OS lime MAC or Linux, which is actually they are less weird surprise than Microsoft.
The thing hold me for changing is financial and its new environment for me and before all my work which is stuck to .NET.

At the end, THANKS AL LOT Marcus007 for your help, you saved my life.