every time I try to install I get an error message stating that the .exe is not a valid win 32 app. Please help..running XP home.

Try downloading the install file again as it could be corrupted. Delete the old one first.

Only get it from http://www.mirc.com/get.html not from another site. Scripts that bundle the mIRC program are against the EULA and have a risk of being changed or infected with malware.