When I click on the add/remove windows
components I get the error message " setup was unable to
load the master information file ".  I
can't install the two components that visual .net wants installed unless I can use the add/remove windows components .  What is this
master information file it is looking for and how do iI restore/repair it?  Running XP PRO.

Hi iebfr14, Welcome.
Expand d:\i386\sysoc.in_ c:\windows\inf (this assumes d is your cd
drive and c is where windows is installed. )

You should then be able to view the components.

btw. this is likely causing your updates to take forever to install