Fatal error during clean XP Pro installation - help!

[Guest]

I have an OEM version of XP Pro w/SP2 and was attempting a clean install on
my PC. I successfully repartitioned and reformatted the HD but got an error
during set up:

SXS.dll: Syntax error in manifest or policy file
"E:\I386\asms\10\POLICY\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS\GDIPLUS.CA_" on line 0.

error: install failed E:\I386\asms
error msg: Manifest Parse Error: An invalid character was found in text
string.

I clicked "Enter/OK" and it restarted. I didn't boot it up again from the CD
(i figured that windows was now on my HD).

It restarted set up and has been stuck for over an hour on a screen that
shows progress (Preparing Installation: 39 minutes left). Doesn't respond to
any keystrokes (Esc, Del, Enter)

HELP!!!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You have a bad Windows XP installation CD.
Contact the seller for a replacement.

"Manifest Parse Invalid at the Top Level of the Document" Error
Message When You Try to Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;331881

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I have an OEM version of XP Pro w/SP2 and was attempting a clean install on
| my PC. I successfully repartitioned and reformatted the HD but got an error
| during set up:
|
| SXS.dll: Syntax error in manifest or policy file
| "E:\I386\asms\10\POLICY\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS\GDIPLUS.CA_" on line 0.
|
| error: install failed E:\I386\asms
| error msg: Manifest Parse Error: An invalid character was found in text
| string.
|
| I clicked "Enter/OK" and it restarted. I didn't boot it up again from the CD
| (i figured that windows was now on my HD).
|
| It restarted set up and has been stuck for over an hour on a screen that
| shows progress (Preparing Installation: 39 minutes left). Doesn't respond to
| any keystrokes (Esc, Del, Enter)
|
| HELP!!!

 

[Guest]

i have the same exact problem as him and have already used 2 different cds