Error 1305 Error reading from file

Error Message

Note:
The content in this article pertains to ArcGIS versions 8.x and 9.x only. Later versions of ArcGIS may contain different functionality, as well as different names and locations for menus, commands and geoprocessing tools.

When installing from an ESRI product CD-ROM, the following error message may occur:

"Error 1305: Error reading from file."

This may prevent the installation from completing, as well as causing an installation roll-back.Depending on the version of Installer, the "Error 1305" may or may not appear.

Cause

There are several conditions that cause this error:

• There is an issue with the CD-ROM; it may be damaged, scratched or dirty.
• There may be an issue with the configuration of the CD-ROM drive.
• There is a known problem with Windows Installer reading compressed files from CD that occurs on some CD-ROM drives. This can occur even if other media read correctly.

Solution or Workaround

The following procedure steps should help alleviate this problem. Please refer to Microsoft's Knowledge Base in the Related Information below for more information.

1. Examine and verify that the CD-ROM is clean and is operable.
   • Take the CD-ROM out of the computer and visibly check it for scratches and other impurities. Wipe it gently with a lint-free cloth.
   • Test the CD in another CD-ROM drive. If the CD-ROM works correctly in the other CD-ROM drive, verify and possibly repair issues concerning the CD-ROM drive.
2. If the CD-ROM works in another CD-ROM drive, the first CD-ROM drive may be dirty, broken or need updated drivers. Contact your systems administrator or contact the computer and/or CD-ROM drive manufacturer for any available CD-ROM drive driver updates.
3. Download and install the latest Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) available. Refer to the link in Related Information, below.

Note:
One shortcut that may be available is to copy the entire contents of the installation CD on to the local hard drive of the target installation computer then install the software from the copy. This may not work if the CD-ROM is too badly damaged or if another CD-ROM drive is not available, etc., however, it may help decrease the troubleshooting time if the installation needs to be completed quickly.