It all started when I tried to Install two memory chips and a Cd burner. The memory installed but the power leads did not match up. So I took out the CD burner and reconected the drive that was in there.
When I tried yo resatart my computer it would not restart. I asked questions but none of the feed back worked.
I had a new copy of Vista, so I tried to install it. The problem got worse and i could not get into any of my programs.
Then I make it worse. I had a brand new Windows XP professional disk. I thought it would whipe the system clean and reinstall XP.
I really wanted Windows 7 since that is what is on my lap top but when I did a compatability check on the first XP I got a message saving Windows 7 was not compatable, that's when I put the vista disk in. That didn't work so, as I said, I put in the new XP, get the machine up and running, and later buy a copy of Windows 7.
When the installation of XP reached the point I got a message saying, " Please insert the disk labeled "windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 CD" into you CD-Rom drive and then click OK. I only have the one install disk, so I clicked OK. Then I got a message saying "An error has been encountered that prevents Setup from continuing.
"one of the componets that windows needs to continue setup could not be installed." "Access is denied" Press OK to view the set up log file.
I pressed the Log file and recieved the following message..
Error
Installation failed D:\I386\asms.
Access is denied. Close and the computer restarts, saying, restarting instalation, then goes back to "error encountered that prevents Setup from continuing...

try sticking the old memory back in and try again or try one stick at a time in the different slots, and check the ram timing in bios.

Popeye:
You replied way back when the problem started with the memory. I can't seem to get a message on to ask for help. It's been weeks, and I keep making the probem bigger. I hope you get this. I have never been so frustrated! GTK

Quick Google Search revealed some things to read and perhaps try :

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com...i386-asms.html

could be cd/dvd drive or the disc, pm us if you cant post or pm william to figure out why you cant post

if the problem started when you changed memory suspect that first try old memory if you still have it or borrow some

Is this a computer you build yourself? or is this a brand name computer (ie HP, Dell)

Please insert the disk labeled "windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 CD"

The only time I have see this before is when trying to install WinXP MCE. Seen it several times with MCE but it turned out to be the CD Rom. You might want to clean the CD rom drive or use a different one.

If it's an HP computer I have see where it will not load properly unless you run Tattoo on it first. Unless you have a retail version of WinXP. Is your version Retail or OEM?