when i try to install warlords patch 2.08 i get an error message
saying : installed version of the application could not be verified, the
installation will now terminate.

please help!

Hmm, I haven't seen this yet, but many people are having problems installing the patch. Try getting it from in-game if you have not tried that yet

the patch is in-game.

Are you using the direct2drive version of the game? You cannot use the in-game update, you must download a special version of the patch at d2d website.

Are you using any modified executables (nocd)? Don't.

Download the standalone patch, e.g. here: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/patch/. Check that you've downloaded the complete file (check size).

If all fails, uninstall Warlords, reinstall, patch.