Hi guys

I´m trying to do a clean install of XP on my old laptop IBM TP 240x, I have done so in the past with no problems so it is compatible. The 240x does not have a CD drive so I´m using an external USB drive and the BIOS does not support this so I am booting from disks (on a SCSI Floppy) that I created before the HD was formatted.

OK, everything boots fine, I get through the first XP setup screens, formatting the drive, selecting NTFS but after this I get the following message:

The following value in the .SIF file used by Setup is corrupted or missing:

Value 0 on the line in section [SourceDisksFiles]
with key "SP2.cab."
Setup cannot continue. To quit Setup, press F3.

I have been searching the net for a couple of days now for a fix around for this and I have seen a lot but I come up against a couple of probs. I can´t download new bootdisks because the only floppy drive I have is a SCSI and my new laptop doesn´t have a floppy or SCSI connection and the old 240x is obviously useless after the drive was formatted. I have tried a couple of XP disks (one brand new original unscratched) and still have the same problem. I´m reluctant to buy a USB floppy for the new laptop (cashflow!!) in case it´s a waste of cash.

So there you go, if anyone can suggest any other avenues to explore I will have their children (if science has progressed enough for men to do so).

Thanks in advance
Andy

Sorry for the delay in responding. This problem can be fixed (usually) by setting the boot device to CD Rom in a normal installation. As you are using bootable floppies, you will need to replace the TXTSETUP.SIF file on the first floppy disk with the one from your XP CD (the one with SP2) - it's in the i386 folder.

On a side note..i have a USB floppy drive at home...and it has saved my rear end on more then one occasion. We've stopped using conventional floppy drives for over 4 years in my house hold, and the USB floppy is such a great idea...only have to use it for when I reinstall windows. But it is definatly a graet investiment.

Back to Hengis

Thanks guys, I´ll definately give it a shot, if all fails then I suppose I´ll have to get my head around buying a USB floppy.

Thanks again
Andy