win xp install failiure

[reesk92]

trying to reinstall xp on a net book and as evertyone knows there is no cd drive

so im trying to install it via usb but so far i keep getting the same error
___________________________________________________________________
the following file in the .sif file used by setup is corupted or missing

value 0 on the line in selection [sourcediskfiles]
with key "sp1.cab"

setup cannot continue to quit setup press f3
___________________________________________________________________

ive tried different install disks and i can only think it is one thing
when i go to do the partitioning it wont let me erase c saying there are files needed for setup on the drive but will let me install to the partition it then deletes some files i think that its deleting the file it needs

any ideas im gonna try formatting the hdd in linux

 

[NYJimbo]

Just to be sure, are you installing it via a USB cd/dvd or using a USB stick formatted with the OS disk ?

Also is there any kind of special emulation or features in the usb configs in the BIOS you can turn on ?

I know I have seen this before in a similiar situation but I cannot remember what i did at this time.

 

[reesk92]

Just to be sure, are you installing it via a USB cd/dvd or using a USB stick formatted with the OS disk ?

Also is there any kind of special emulation or features in the usb configs in the BIOS you can turn on ?

I know I have seen this before in a similiar situation but I cannot remember what i did at this time.

a usb flash drive

yes the machine supports usb booting and all aplicable things are set up
i think its the fact its a win 7 machine being returned to the original xp i am gonna erase the drive before i do the install anouther consideration is that i have a copy of my windows disk in a folder on the root so i think the install thinks that it has to use those files in order to install ill do the format and report back

 

[reesk92]

ahaa i think i fount it

the usb installer fucks about with the winnt.sif file to make a unatended instalation

i just need to tell it not to use its own and to use mine on the disk

 

[reesk92]

yeah its fine now

anyone having that problems with that check whether the winnt file is being messed with