SP1 "Access Denied" - Error 1168: "Element not found" in setupapi.

I am trying to install XP SP1 (or 1A) on a computer with its original load of
XP Home currently installed. Every time the SP1 installer starts.. it
immediately generates an "Access Denied" error. I have read tons of articles
about registry changes and folder permissions.. but none of this has worked.
The last few lines of the setupapi.log file are below. This does nto appear
to be a registry issue according to the log contents... the messages are
completely non-intuitive and not documented anywhere I can find. XP SP2
installed perfectly.. but since it totally wiped out all wireless
netowrking.. it had to be removed. Pleae share any suggestions....

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[2004/10/16 00:24:17 1492.2]
#-198 Command line processed:
d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update. exe /Z
@ 00:24:18.139 #V039 Opened INF
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf", PNF not created
(Languge = 0409).
@ 00:24:19.796 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem14.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:19.921 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem14.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.171 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem15.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.296 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem15.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.514 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem16.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.546 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem16.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.671 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem17.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.717 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem17.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.827 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem40.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.858 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem40.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.967 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem41.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:20.999 #I180 Verifying file
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf")
against catalog "oem41.CAT" failed. Error 1168: Element not found.
@ 00:24:21.374 #V132 File
"d:\20b8b785acd4a5ed1eaa95fa4f303d2a\update\update .inf" (key "update.inf") is
signed in catalog
"C:\WINDOWS\System32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\oem48.CAT".

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