Thanks for trying to help. I've deleted Zone Alarm and downloaded it several times and I still keep getting the same error. I found out I get when I download anything! I did dis-able the anti-virus after you suggested it, but still get that message.

-You suppose to restart Windows in Safe Mode
-Scandisk & defrag
-desable Norton Antivirus!
-try to reinstall that software again(but of
course you suppose to uninstall it first and
also clean up your Registry)

be well

but ive found a way round this especially with games is to copy all the files from the CD onto your hard disk if u have the space and install it from there no problems

Ive been trying to solve this and i think its a motherboard compatability issue with windows xp, something to do with ACPI ive got a chaintech AJAI0 motherboard, email me if u have a similar setup.

Also, I decided to try installing Half-Life and using mod version of CS. However, HL installs ok, then it wont run. I get an error. Something like "Kb_keys.lst is missing" Game wont even run.

I believe it's a problem with Wise Solutions installation. Both .EXE file with the I/0 error corruption use Wise installation.

It'd be swell if someone could help us!

My OS: Windows XP
RAM: 256 mb
Graphics: Geforce 2 MX 100/200
Processor: AMD Duron 1 Gighurt

I've got the same problem under XP.
It was impossible for me to install XP SP1, any games or a unzip a big archive file.

I changed my memory with a new one and everything works fine now.

The funny is that I can install FiFA, Need for Speed but not Half-Life
As I know HL is the only one between these that uses wise installation

Now for the best solution to these kinda problems, there is one final solution...
Go to google.com and search for unwise.exe (Wise installer executables) and the unpacker for install shield.. there are lots of sites that offer those tools. And unpack the executables and you will have all those files required.

The temp directory did not have the correct "Write Permissions" setup, preventing the program from being able to write to the temp directory. Right click on the directory and select Properties. Next Add your current user to the list. Be sure to select Full Control to that user. Select Ok and reboot - worked fine after that!

I have still got this problem when trying to install Unreal2, UT2003, RtCW and many other new games. I have recently installed WinXP Pro, bought new memory, wrote zeros (again) to the HD, yet the problem still occurs.

I know its definitely not a memory problem because I took out the original 256mb stick, put in the brand new one (apacer) and tried to install the games. Still got the I/O error.
So i've now got 512megs of pc2700 ddr ram in here.

I know FOR SURE that the cd's aren't the problem. I know for sure that the hard drive isnt the problem, because i had this seagate in my other pc and it worked perfectly.

I am thinking now it might be a problem with motherboard. I have a Gigabyte GA-7VA-C

I am now getting CRC errors with all the games. (strangely, since installing Windows XP Pro, Counter-Strike installed fine) but all other games, I get a CRC error. There is nothing wrong with the CDs. I strongly suspect it is a hardware problem (RAM, or motherboard itself) because I tried writing zeros to my maxtor HD, which COMPLETELY erases everything. I then installed Win2k and installed SP3, got the updates from net, and the problems still occured.

So, I think it has absolutely nothing to do with software. Hardware seems to be the cause, but it's not my HD or CD drives as they are fine with my other PC.

P4 2.4CGhz (800Mhz FSB)
1024MB DDR400 PC32000 RAM
Western Digital 80GB 72000 RPM Special EditionHD
ATI Radeon 9700 128MB
Abit IS7-E motherboard
LiteOn CDRW 52x24x52x
Samsung Floppy Drive
Windows 2000 Prof

open control panel > performance and maintennace > system > hardware > device manager ; now goto the entry for : ide ata/atapi controllers and open it, then open the 'primary ide channel' entry and click on the advanced settings tab and change the transfer mode of both devices to PIO only instead of DMA (this is whats causing the I/O error) and do likewise for the 'secondary ide channel' and after that you should be able to install games and updates properly.

Hey guys I had the same problem with Counter Strike and all I did was click retry over and over and it eventually worked. I saw someone else suggest doing that on this page, so I think that is a working solution.

Go to Control Panel
Go to System
Click Performance tab
On Virtual Memory select "Let windows manage my virtual memory"
On graphics set Hardware Acceleration to None (you can always change this back when you've installed what you're trying to install)
Select OK to get out of this area and you'll probably need to do a reboot.
Now try and install whatecver it was you were trying to do!

If this works someone please call me a god! This is my first ever post so I hope it does.

The response to your question:
--
Solution Added On 10/23/2003 8:01AM
This is an indication of a corrupt install. Try these steps to get a clean
installation and disable possible conflicts with the install program.

Half-Life requires that there is at least 400 MB free on the destination
installation drive before installing the game.

1. Uninstall the game and remove extra game files.
2. Run SCANDISK and DEFRAG.
3. End tasks in the background in Windows.
4. Reinstall Half-Life.
5. If problems persist, check the CD-ROM settings and optimize the drive.

1. Uninstall the game from Start, programs menu, or from Add/Remove programs in
Control panel.
- manually delete c:\sierra\half-life folder
- restart your computer
- close all background programs follow these instructions:
1. Make sure you have all programs closed(nothing on your taskbar)
2. While holding down both the Ctrl and Alt key, press delete on your keyboard
3. You should get a "Close Program" window
4. Left-Click on name, and hit the "End Task" button
5. Make sure that you do this for every entry with the exception of "Explorer"
and "Systray", those two files are required for any program to run under
windows.
6. When you have only "Explorer" and "Systray" left in the window it means you
have closed all background programs.
7. Note that when you restart your computer and programs will open again, and
you will have to repeat the process.

- reinstall Half-Life
- apply the latest 1.1.1.0 update

2. Restert your computer. Upon returning to Windows run a thorough Scandisk and
Disk Defragmenter on all hard drives. These utilities can be accessed from
Start - Programs - Accessories and then System Tools.

3. Also make sure there are no other programs running in the background. To
make sure there are no other programs running:
-Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys and press the DEL key. This will bring up a
Close Program Box. The Close Program Box will show the currently running
programs.
-Only Explorer and Systray should be listed when the game is started. If there
are other programs in the task list highlight one of them and click on the End
Task button.
-Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the only programs listed in the Close Program Box
are the Explorer and Systray. NOTE: Some programs cannot be shut down using
these steps. You will need to shut down those programs according to the
instructions specific to those programs.

4. Once the Explorer and Systray are the only programs in the Close Program Box
start the install for Half-Life.

5. If problems persist this may be due to files being mis-read or corrupted
during transfer from the CD to the hard drive. This can be caused by several
problems that effect the ability of the CD-ROM drive to read the application CD.

First, check the CD for fingerprints, dust, scratches or any obvious flaws. If
necessary, clean the CD with a soft non-abrasive cloth, wiping from the center
ring toward the outer edge.

Next, make sure that your CD-ROM drive is using 32-bit protected mode drivers,
not 16-bit legacy drivers from DOS or Windows 3.1. 16-bit drivers will not be
able to stream large amounts of data in Windows '95/98 without faltering. To
determine whether your set-up is optimal, hold down the ALT key and double-click
on the MY COMPUTER icon. A System Properties window will pop-up. Click on the
PERFORMANCE tab. Under Performance status it should say, "Your system is
configured for optimal performance." If not, you may be using outdated drivers
that will undermine the performance of your system.

If you are using real-mode drivers you may be able to use Windows '95/98's add
hardware feature to install the correct driver. Click on Start, then Settings
and Control Panel. Go to Add New Hardware and let Windows detect the hardware.
It may ask for the Windows '95/98 CD-ROM to load the correct drivers. If
Windows '95/98 is not able to detect your CD-ROM, you should contact your system
manufacturer and have them walk you through the process of installing protected
mode drivers. The general performance of your entire system will be improved.

If the system is optimally configured, make sure that the CD-ROM cache is set-up
correctly. Still under Performance, click on the File System button, and then
the CD-ROM tab. There are two settings here. The "Optimize access pattern
for:" should reflect the speed of your CD-ROM, typically, Quad-speed or higher
on current systems. The "Supplemental cache size:" will usually work best if
set to Small. If the cache is not optimal you may have read errors,
skipping/looping sound or static.

opened up task manager (ctrl + alt + delete) i then closed nearly every task i could, then tried installing and it worked! i usually had about 32 processes and i got it down to 20 when it worked.

if it works for you please email me to let me know,

thanks

I have the same I/O problem. I have question. Who has NTFS and I/O problem???

I thinking about that NTFS is a problem OR something in hardware. I have PII400 with 192MB RAM and i don't have this problem. but my friend has ATH2400+ with 512MB and he has it. RAM test gave mi nothing because RAM has no errors (7h test).

So what do you think? Its could be NTFS?

Im trying to install the Counterstrike game without success. I faced many I/O error. I have downloaded the same file in another site but the problem persists. My computer is runing the Win2000 Professional.
TIA for any help!!

Best regards