Getting this error when re-installing XP

[stratus595]

I am re-formatting and re-installing a clean copy of XP on my mother in law's four year old computer which is a Dimension 8200. I keep getting this error half way through the installation of XP that states:

Fatal error: An error has been encountered that prevents Setup from continuing.
One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.
Incorrect function.

Press OK to view the setup log file.

Log file states:

Error:
SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file "D:\I386\asma\10\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS\GDIPLUS.MAN" on line 4.


I am using the Dell re-installation cd that came with the Dimension 8200 and I have made sure the disc is clean and not damaged. What could be the problem? Could the hard drive have bad sectors in it and maybe that is why the computer was messing up in the first place?

[TwoRails]

edit..

[stratus595]

Let me clarify so as to make sure it is being understood and then tell me if what I am trying to do is wrong.

Me and my mother in law have the exact same computer, a Dimension 8200. I brought her tower to my house to do this instead of sitting at hers and am using MY Dell re-installation cd to re-install XP on her system. That is wrong? Why?

[Cricket]

Are you using a MS WinXP installation CD or a DELL restore CD?

If you're using a MS WinXP installation CD you can only install it legally on one computer.

Cricket

[stratus595]

I am using the Dell re-installation XP cd that came with the Dimension 8200 computer NOT a MS XP cd.

[Cricket]

Did your mother-in-law lose her recovery CD?

You might want to test the RAM with Memtest86+ and then find out the brand of the hard drive and go to the manufacturer's web site for the diagnostic utility to test the hard drive with.

And changing out the IDE or SATA cable to the hard drive couldn't hurt.

Cricket

[glc]

From the VERY FIRST post:

I am re-formatting and re-installing a clean copy of XP on my mother in law's four year old computer which is a Dimension 8200.

I am using the Dell re-installation cd that came with the Dimension 8200

WHY did both of you jump down this member's throat? I think it's time to emphasize a point we continually make:

Use the REPORT POST link and let the staff handle suspected rules violations. In this case, this is TOTALLY legal, I don't care WHOSE CD it is - it's the correct CD for that computer. The computer has a valid XP license! If it's a license for XP Home, you can use *ANY* XP Home CD legally to reinstall the OS, it doesn't even have to be a Dell CD. If you don't use the Dell CD, you will simply have to use the CD key from the sticker on the Dell and activate by phone. Using a Dell CD (ANY XP Home reinstall CD) will bypass the key and activation process.

- Admin -

Back to the topic. You may have faulty hardware. If the diagnostic partition is intact, you can run full system diagnostics by pressing F12 at startup. You can also run diagnostics by booting with the Dell resource CD that came with *either* computer.

[stratus595]

Thank you glc. I honestly wanted to know if I was doing something wrong but really did not think that just using my Dell cd instead of hers was a violation of any kind. It's not like the computer was going to register her windows in my name or anything.

On topic, all of the partitions were already deleted and reformatted so I am assuming that the diagnostic partition you speak of is not intact? You mentioned faulty hardware. Are you referring to the hard drive or another piece of hardware?

[glc]

ANY piece of hardware. The Resource CD I mentioned has a full diagnostic suite, that's why they give it to you. It also contains the drivers you will need after the reinstall. Boot with it and select full tests.