unrecognised file versions

[jcooper]

Dear all,

I'm receiving the following prompt/error message:

"Files that are required for windows to run properly have
been replaced by unrecognised versions. To maintain
system stability Windows must restore the original
versions of these files. Insert your Windows XP home
edition CD-ROM now."

All very straightforward you might think but
unfortunately my PC manufacturer decided not to provide
me with a backup copy of XP (and the blasted thing only
developed this problem out of warranty). Is my only
remedy to perform a system restore? If so what
implications does this have for my files?

Apologies for my ignorance, any help would be greatly
appreciated.

J Cooper

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Look for an I386 directory, you will likely find it under C:\Windows. This
is where you want to redirect the request.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If by System Restore you are referring to the XP feature that allows the
user to go back to a time prior when an error appeared, it only restores the
System State, settings, registry, etc.

If you are referring to your computer manufacturer's recovery routine, that
wipes the drive forcing you to start over.

Hence, you might want to start with System Restore to see if it does resolve
the issue. Go to Start\All Programs\System Tools\System Restore and look
for a restore date that goes back prior to when this started.

If that fails to resolve it, because your manufacturer didn't give you an XP
CD, they were nonetheless required to give you some form of system recovery.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, that usually wipes the drive and puts the
system back in factory fresh condition. That's not necessarily a bad thing
but you first, have to have a backup of your data or you'll lose it and you
need the setup disks for any other applications you've installed. Check
your PC's documentation for information about your system's recovery.

Without an actual XP CD, your options are quite limited. With a CD, you can
try using the sfc /scannow command to see if you can replace the files, you
also have a repair install option that might resolve the issue. Of course,
purchasing a retail version of XP is not out of the question but most users
don't want to do that even though it might resolve current issues and help
with similar issues down the road.

 

[Guest]

As most countries have laws protecting the consumer OEM's are often required to give the purchaser the means to restore the OS installed on the machine to the "purchased" condition. So either the CD or a hidden partition has what you need. Why not simply try the CD and see if it works. Put it in your drive and close any autoplay window that opens then go>start\run and type in sfc /scannow Be sure to put the space in after SFC and before the /. See what happens. You have nothing to loose at this point. You may also see if you can track down the files that it claims are changed to the possible detriment of the OS. Quite often this simply isn't the case and you are getting an auto generated warning as some updated file you have doesn't fit the original parameters. You may in fact have nothing wrong at all.

 

[Big Mac]

What modern day computer manufacturer doesn't give you a CD with XP on
it and any stuff specific to the computer? It might really happen, &
I am not accusing you of anything, but it does sound kind of fishy..
That must be some lame company...