Cannot copy <filename>: Invalid ms-dos function

[KornGeek]

I'm having an issue with my home computer that makes no sense to me. I'm attempting to install a game (Diablo II Expansion Pack), but I'm getting an error during install. The developer's tech support recommends copying one of the files from the CD to the computer before running the installation when this error happens. When I attempt this, it briefly (about 5-10 seconds) looks like it is successfully copying the file, then gives an error message reading &quot;Cannot copy <filename>: Invalid ms-dos function.&quot;

I tried copying several other files off the CD, and I get the same result. I tried both dragging and dropping the file, and using copy and paste. My next thought was that the CD might be bad, so I exchanged it for another copy, and got the same results. When I contacted the manufacturer's tech support, they said that it's probably a hardware issue. I called the hardware manufacturer's tech support, and after running a series of tests, they determined that the drive is operating correctly.

If it's not the CD, the drive, or the software, I'm guessing it's either something about the OS or the system configuration. However, I have no clue where to begin looking. A google search turned up little to no helpful info. Most people dismissed it as a dirty CD, however, I also noticed quite a few people were using XP.

My system is an HP Pavilion 754n with a DVD-RW drive (currently not functioning for mechanical reasons), and a CD drive. I have (I believe) 512MB RAM. The file I'm trying to copy is (I believe) about 50 MB. I am running Windows XP.

I appreciate any ideas you can offer. Even though this issue isn't directly work-related, all of us techies need to be able to unwind at home in order to function in the office, right?

 

[linney]

This is an old article but it suggests that the format of the CD may be unreadable to XP (I really have no idea whether this applies to your problem at all).

155120 - Error Message: Error Copying File

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;155120&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Are you able to check the CD properties and determine what File System it is using?

What CD Software do you have installed?

Did you try installing this game in Windows NT Compatibility mode, or any other mode for that matter?

 

[bcastner]

This is a SafeSF copy protection issue.
It is not an OS or hardware issue with your drives.

See, for example,

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...y+diablo+II+expansion&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en

 

[KornGeek]

Thanks for the information. I followed both links, but I'm not positive either one is the cause of this. They seem similar, but the error messages and symptoms seem slightly different.

Interestingly enough, I was able to solve this issue by installing from my now-functioning DVD drive. From this drive, I am able to copy the files down to my hard drive (and the original install also worked). The CD drive still fails.

I'm not going to spend much more time on this, because the problem is no longer impacting me. I will probably call HP tech support back and challenge them to explain this to me.