when window is installing and loads i get a file name called viaide.sys and it is corrupted.What does it mean

Are you able to get into XP?

That file is VIA IDE which is your VIA chipsets IDE drivers.

VIA has this in a package known as VIA 4 in 1:

VIA Arena - Drivers Section

no will not finish installing because of that file

When you start installing you will see a prompt on the bottom of the screen to "Press F6 to load drivers".

At this point I would load viaide.sys

Where you get this depends on your computer.

If it is a manufactured machine what is the make and model?

If it is a custom build what is the make and model of the motherboard?


Also a few questions:

1) Are you reinstalling XP or is this the first time?

2) Was there another Windows version on the computer before?

3) Is your XP CD a retail version or an OEM?

4) Is your hard drive IDE or SATA?

Yea i am reinstalling windows and yes i do see the prompt f6 thats when it starts loading. now when i put the disc in i get a black screen saying ivalid system diskand it is the one i bought it is not copiedand yes i had the same windows on it and yes i believe the hard drive is ide and the computer is custom built i do not know what the make and model of the motherboard how do i find out what the make and model is.

That Invalid System Disk error means your BIOS is looking at the hard drive and not your CD drive.

In other words that time your CD did not boot.

Open the computer and look for a label. Usually it is either by the RAM slots or else the graphics card slot.

ok so how do i get it so it looks at my drive so ur saying thats what the problem is.

Are you trying to boot your CD?

Is the CD drive set in the BIOS to load prior to the hard drive?

Did you get the prompt to "Press Any Key to Boot CD"?

yes trying to boot from cd no i dont get the prompt i get the invalid system disc so how do i check to see if the cd drive is set in the bios

Watch the bottom of the screen when you start.

You should see Press ... to enter Setup

The ... depends on the motherboard. Most use the Delete key.

Anyway hit Delete (or what key is listed) and then go thru the menus to Boot Priority.

It should be:

1) Floppy

2) CDROM

3) HDD

There may also be a USB in there.