when checking white wire at the box it is cold when checking at the light switch it has power i am confused
The white (neutral) wire should bypass the switch. The black wire should run to and from the switch terminals, if it is wired correctly. This applies even if the light is wired hot (as they used to be back in the day). Sounds like someone has connected black to white somewhere. Is there correct current between the black white wires?
The white is the neutral and has no power in it from the breaker box. When you check it at the light or switch you are getting power back through the light bulb.
