Question about installing windows on a computer

[smin]

This has nothing to do with DSS, but was wondering if some computer experts out there could help me out.

I built a new computer from scratch, new hard drive and everything. I installed dos, and then when I go to install win 98, during the setup of it, it then says something like, setup cannot decode the .cab file. Or something like that. And then it just stops there and it wont finish installing it. So then I try to put win 95 on it and it says the same thing. I need to install either 98 or 95 before I can upgrade to 2000. Windows 3.1 works fine, just will not install 98 or 95.

So my question is, does anybody have any suggestions on what that might mean or how I might get windows installed on the computer?

Thanks for any help...

[ekimnala]

Are the 95 & 98 Cd's legit? What is the exact error message you get? Sounds like they may be copies! I've had this problem before with copies and downloads from internet.

E

[smin]

Thank you for your reply...Yes they are copies, but I have installed the same copies on other computers and they worked on them.

To be exact here is what the message says: "Setup has detected the following decoding error 'Setup has detected a corrupt setup (.cab) file.' Setup will attempt to recover from this situation. Click ok to continue.

And then when you hit ok, it just keeps doing the same thing over and giving me the message. This time when it gave me the message it was at setting up hardware and finalizing settings stage of the installation process.

Thanks again for any help.

[dysfl]

It might be the CD-related.

1. First check the surface of the CD for any scratches or smudges. ( Ofter, I have to remove the candy finger prints from children¡¯s CDs.)

2. One of my PC has a problem with the CD drive, so some CDs fail during read. If this is the case, you can continue doing it as long as it has some progress. Windows installation is being logged and picked up from the abort point. Or, you can copy the whole contents of the CD into HDD and install from there.

[ekimnala]

Sure sounds like one of the cab files is damaged. There are about 68 or 69 on Windows 98 alone, trying to figure out the exact one would take a long time.

I would try "dysfl's" suggestion about copying complete CD to a temp folder (directory) on hard drive, then, run setup from that directory. Let us know what happens!

E

[smin]

Thanks DY and EK for your replies, I am trying to copy it to the C drive but everytime I get bad command of file name when I attempt, oh well Ill keep playing with it I guess, maybe I will just have to buy an original CD and see if that helps.

[Bradleyfl]

I have seen this exact same error message. 2 things and only 2 things have fixed it. 1st, replaced the CD drive with a NEW one, not used and tested but NEW. 2nd , and less likly faulty ram. I always test ram over and over then over somemore. As far as the CD drive I keep a new one in a box thats known to load windows in the past. The only use it gets is when I have a problem. Its my "test" drive, I use it at the first sign of problems.

[ekimnala]

smin,

Are you able to read other CD's on the CD-Rom? Also, without knowing your level of expertise, I'm going to assume you have formated the Hard Drive, installed the necessary files and CD-Rom drivers. What version of DOS are you using? How familiar are you with DOS? If you need some step by step instruction, PM me here and I'll give you a hand.

E

[wannano6]

Make sure you have formatted the hard drive it should have came with a disk if not you can get the necessary files from their website providing you have access to the internet which you must since you are here..