Re: Laptop file deleted when upgrading to Windows XP

Thanks for the prompt response. I tried typing winnt32.exe from the dos
prompt and of course get the error that this file does not run in dos.

I can only work in dos from the book CD I have. I've tried typing all of
the windows commands at the c: prompt, but it doesn't work. I don't know if
it is because of the boot cd I am using.

When I boot up from the CD it registers as the A drive. I can change to the
C drive and work in DOS. If I take out the boot disk and insert the XP CD
and type at the c prompt A:setup, I get a message Abort, Retry, Fail and that
the drive is no longer valid.

So, I will try the other help items you mentioned in your post. Again, I
appreciate your help and will post my update, if I get this solved.

Thanks!

"databaseben" wrote:

you didn't say how old
the laptop was. but if
it was a windows me ready
laptop, then it's not too old.

there is likely to be alot of
helpful information at the laptops
parent website, including downloads
and explanations of failures, possibly
one like yours too.

another source of information is
microsoft.com. you can search
there for something like "troubleshooting
winxp installations"

also, your newly purchased windows
provides 2 free technical support/service
tickets from microsoft certified technicians.
read your documentation or look for this
information at microsoft.com

my guess is that when you copied the i386 folders/files
over to your harddisk, you may have overwritten
the i386 folder you already had. however, i don't
have all the data or the laptop on my lap, so you
may have purchase the upgrade with the hopes
of fixing a problem you were already having, like
a boot virus, a dysfunctional harddrive, etc...

maybe you can try accessing
the folder above and look for a winnt32.exe
and run it. just drill down to the folder, type
that file name at the prompt and hit enter.

if this still doesn't work. then you should be
able to do a clean/complete new install
of windows.

it would not be unreasonable
to consider fdisk your harddrive for
a clean install. but this is the nuclear option
and should be one of last resort and encourage
you to let us know before you use this option
so we can make sure you have all your basis
covered.

keep in mind that if your version of xp is an upgrade, then
you will need to provide a prior version
of windows to proceed.

if your prior version of windows is an upgrade too then you need to go to a
prior version again,
until you get (or acquire) a free standing/
full version windows, like win95 or maybe win3.1.

i don't remember but i think the upgrade will still install
but with a time out or something. (maybe not)



"Jackie K." <JackieK@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7A1C4091-BB50-4E47-B43F-FEC2063B6D55@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I was upgrading my old laptop (Windows ME) to XP Home SP2(newly purchased
installation CD). I had problems during installation and read the
instructions to copy I386 folder from the CD upgrade disk to my laptop.
Something happened during installation and now my PC will not boot to the
system disk.

I need to know what files may have been deleted or corrupted and
understand
how I can get the laptop to boot up again to the C drive. I don't even
care
if it doesn't boot to Windows ME.

I have an old boot CD from Norton and can get to the C prompt. I can work
in DOS on the laptop. Is there a way to copy a file from a sub directory
to
get my laptop to boot up again. I just want to be able to read from the
XP
upgrade disk and try the upgrade again.

Unfortunately it is an old laptop and all the old cd's were discarded.

Help is greatly appreciated!



.

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