Because the computer would not boot from the CD drive, I had to create 6 boot DISKETTES with a downloadable program from microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=33291).
 
The setup with the diskettes goes fine, and then it formats the drive w/out problems.  HOWEVER, after formatting is finished and XP is supposed to be setting up from the CD drive, it reads the disc and then stops with the following error 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 press F3"

I tried this with several xp pro boot cds (all of which are legit), and this is driving me insane!  I even tried this process with another hard drive, and it yelded the same results.  I don't know if it has something to do with the BIOS settings, or the hard drive or the setup disks, or what.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you.

subfuscais the cd that is in the drive one of the service pack 2 cd's?
or a green xp pro cd?It's a service pack 2 disc. I will clean the discs and try it again.  I also did do a memory test previous to formatting, etc. and everything seemed OK. subfusca..... If I read you post correctly , you have already sucessfully installed XP pro and it's the SP2 cd your having trouble with .......Why not just D/L SP2 from M/S site ......


dl65  no no.  I wish that were the problem.  It's an XP pro (with SP2) cd.  I can't get the OS to install after it formats the HD.subfusca,

There are 6 different sets of floppy instal discs. There are one each for xp home& pro ORIGINAL release & xp home with sp 1 & 2 and one each for xp pro with sp 1&2, so make sure that you download the correct version of the floppys or you will end up with the setup files missing(.sif) Pick the correct one from this link>>>>

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994Thank you, guys!!!! That completely fixed my problem!  The link I initially found didn't include an XP pro "sp2" version for creating floppy disk setup.  However, the link that wrwss and mac provided was what I needed to use.

Problem solved.