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Frank KavanaghFlag for United States of America

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Why do I get iastor.sys error?

I tried to reinstall Windows XP from the Dell-supplied CD but I get an error that says:
"The file 1astor.sys was not copied correctly.
The file setup placed on your hard drive is not a valid windows xp system image.
If you are installing form a CD there may be a problem with the Windows XP CD
To retry press enter
If you continue to receive this message contact your windows XP supplier or system administrator.

If I ignore this file, it pops up the name of another.   If I keep ignoring these files, the installation fails.
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☠ MASQ ☠

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You should test the RAM using memtest86+, and also test the HD using the manufacturer's diagnostic utility. If the HD diagnostic throws an error,it often gives you a chance to repair it. Do so if that is the case.If it tells you the disk needs to be replaced, then you'll have to do that prior to installing the OS. You'll find both on the UBCD:

http://ultimatebootcd.com

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I downloaded the ultimateboot cd iso file and used Nero to burn it to a CD.   When I try to boot from this CD, it will not boot.   The only file on the CD is ubcd502.iso.   What am I doing wrong?
You have to look for an option in nero to burn image files or iso files (don't know the exact wording nero uses nor do I know under what menu option you must look, but I know it has such an option), don't just drag the file into nero. Or get CDBurnerXP, which is a free burning utility, when you start it up it comes with a menu where it says "Burn ISO Image". If you select that option and then use the downloaded image it will be burnt correctly.

http://cdburnerxp.se/
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☠ MASQ ☠

The .iso file is actually a disk image you need to get Nero to unpack it onto the CD not burn a data disk
See here for Nero Smart Start and Express
Here for Nero Ultra
I created the CD and it booted, however all I get is the message:

isolinux 3.86, etc....

initial menu has no label entries!

boot:

Now what?
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The CD did not boot on the other compute either.   I guess I had a bad download.   In any case, I swapped out the memory modules and discovered one was bad.   Serenity now!
Thanks to both experts.   This was a problem I would never have been able to solve.   Once again, my subscription was well worthwhile!