Need help with backing up Windows files with XP Professional CD2

[Guest]

For some reason this morning my comp screen displays and error message that
files that are required for Windows to run properly have been replaced by
unrecognized versions. To maintain system stability, WIndows must restore to
the original versions of these files and prompted me to insert Windows XP
Professional CD2 now. Why did it say that and where do I get this XP
Professional CD from because it didnt come with my computer. Can anyone help
me find the back up for this in my hard drive?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Hello Cat,

Did your computer come with any XP CD ? either retail or OEM CD?

It seems you are being prompted to run System File Checker.

Can you (or any other user of this pc) remember what changed since yesterday?

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Hi Cat,

Part 2. (upon further consideration)

Any idea of which files that message was referring to?

Do let us know if & what XP CD you have. Did you buy this computer with Windows already loaded? and if so, from which company?

For the time being, I'd have you check on exactly what version/edition of XP this is.
From Start menu button, select RUN option. Then type in

winver <press Enter-key>

There will be a long display of Version number
what does your Windows Version & build show as ? (that l-o-n-g string Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)

Does the build string show service pack 1 or service pack 2?

Near the top of that window, does it show Home XP or Professional ?

Does this system have a diskette drive?

 

[Guest]

I have no idea what the file was referring to, it didnt say. I was trying to
compress some of the downloaded movies I had last night because I only have
2% memory available. i bought the system from Dell in December 2005. I
thought it is the xp home media center edition thats why Im confused about
the xp professional prompt. The system did not come with a disk of the
aforementioned product so if it is on the computer it was installed from the
factory. the Run file showed me it is XP Service pack 2. what exactly does
the error message mean and can I just get a downloaded reboot CD for this
without messing up files I already have on the system because I have never
made a backup file and Ive already had to restore my system once due to
spyware???
I m Totally Confused. Thanks for responding. Please write back.

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Do contact Dell support to see if Operating System CD came with this system.
There's no reboot CD that you can download, unless & if Dell has something like that ....but I do not know that.

If the error comes up again, you need to take a few moments and write down & document all of it.

You do need to start using Backup. Please review Backups by Patty MacDuffie at
http://computerhaven.info/backups.htm