"Setup Unable to Copy...WIN.SRC," "Setup Error #5" Messages

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q84607
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

When installing Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, you may get the "Setup is unable to copy the file win.src..." or "Setup Error #5 - Setup either cannot open or cannot create the file CPWIN386.CPL..." message if you have a RAM drive that is assigned to logical drive C. Booting without the RAM drive or running a custom installation will allow you to complete the Windows 3.1 Setup program.

MORE INFORMATION

Setup may fail on the first file it attempts to copy if you run Setup from a network drive, and if the following conditions are true:

  • No hard drive is installed.
  • A RAM drive is installed and is assigned to logical drive C.
  • Setup is executed from the directory where all Windows files reside.
  • Express install is selected.

When the Setup /N command is executed under these circumstances, you may get the message: 

   Setup is unable to copy the file win.src.
This file already exists in the destination directory and is marked read-only.

You must remove the read-only attributes from all files in your Windows directory to successfully complete Windows Setup.

When "Setup" is executed under the same circumstances, you may get the message: 

   Setup Error #5

   Setup either cannot open or cannot create the file CPWIN386.CPL,
   which is needed to set up Windows. Setup cannot continue.
Any one of the following will allow you to complete Windows Setup:

  1. Choose Custom install instead of Express install.

    -or-

  2. Remark out the RAM drive from the CONFIG.SYS file, by placing REM before the RAM drive entry, and then restart the system.

    -or-

  3. Create the directory into which you would like to install Windows, then run Setup from this directory. For example, if you would like to set up Windows 3.1 in Y:\WINDOWS and all of the Windows files are in Y:\WINSETUP, change your current directory to Y:\WINDOWS after creating it. Then type Y:\WINSETUP\SETUP.EXE.

KBCategory: kbsetup kbref kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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