md5 checksum

Would someone please explain to me what the MD5 checksum is? I am trying to install Vista. I continue to get a setup error returning to original desktop message (which it doesn't do.) Some of your post suggest verifying the DVD, but I have no knowledge regarding checksum. Thank you.

An MD5 checksum will verify that the data in the iso is correct. Here is a link to an article by MVP Jonathan Maltz on how to verify that the MD5 hash check is correct: http://vista.visualwin.com/check-iso/
-- Jane, not plain ;) 64bit enabled ;) Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;)
"Wisteria" wrote in message

Would someone please explain to me what the MD5 checksum is? I am trying to install Vista. I continue to get a setup error returning to original desktop message (which it doesn't do.) Some of your post suggest verifying the DVD, but I have no knowledge regarding checksum. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I apologize for posting more than once, but the first two messages I sent gave me an error message saying the post did not go. Apparently they did.
"Jane C" wrote:

An MD5 checksum will verify that the data in the iso is correct. Here is a link to an article by MVP Jonathan Maltz on how to verify that the MD5 hash check is correct: http://vista.visualwin.com/check-iso/
-- Jane, not plain ;) 64bit enabled ;) Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;)
"Wisteria" wrote in message Would someone please explain to me what the MD5 checksum is? I am trying to install Vista. I continue to get a setup error returning to original desktop message (which it doesn't do.) Some of your post suggest verifying the DVD, but I have no knowledge regarding checksum. Thank you.

Since I have been unsuccessful in installing Vista, I gather from some of the messages that I need to verify my DVD. Unfotunately, I have no idea what MD5 checksum is. Will someone please explain this to me. Thank you.