can't install SMF please help ASAP

[highernight]

im installing my smf and it ask for a username/password/email/mysql password and when i proceed it says

Warning: Unterminated comment starting line 996 in /www/*******/*/*/*/**********/htdocs/forum/Sources/Subs.php on line 996

Fatal error: fatal flex scanner internal error--end of buffer missed in /www/*******/*/*/*/**********/htdocs/forum/Sources/Subs.php on line 996

i have a free web hosting but when i install smf it has errors as shown above

[Illori]

i would blame an improperly configured host for that error, given you have not edited any of the files yourself.

[JimM]

Please answer the questions we ask, otherwise it will be difficult if not impossible to help you.  If you are using a free host, are you trying to install using modified files or did you download the package from SM.org?  The error you are getting usually indicates that a comment block is not closed.  If the file has been edited by your free host to limit capabilities, that could be your issue.