Cannot Reinstall Windows Components

[Guest]

I purchased a notebook computer that came with Windows XP Home Edition
already installed. The manufacturer did not supply a Windows XP CD. Only a
manufacturers recovery cd with ghost image. I have since installed SP2 via
online update. While playing internet reversi, I believe I was the victim of
some type of hack attempt. Now all MSN Gaming Zone games (The internet games
that come with XP - not the website games) have corrupt data in the chat
dialog box. (Mixed up letters, etc.) I uninstalled all Microsoft XP "Z
Internet Games" using the add/remove windows components utility. However
when I try to reinstall, it will not work. It looks for files in the
C:/windows/i386 directory. For example spider.ex_ and many others. They are
ALL there in that directory. However it won't copy. It asks for the
"Microsoft XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 CD" for which there obviously isn't
one.

So I had to use the system restore tool just to get the games back. However
they all still contain corrupted data.

Anyone have any idea how to work around this Microsoft mess?

 

[raztax]

It's not Microsoft's fault that your OEM gave you a crap disk. If it's
asking for the disk, then there is something that is either missing or
corrupted in the I386 folder.
Try getting a friend to bring their XP disk over, shouldn't cause any
problems if it's just the games you are replacing.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your non response to the problem. It is related to the SP2 update
which came via automatic update online. There is/was no cd for that. The
files are not corrupt in the i386 directory. Add/remove components feature
is asking for "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2" CD. Since I
bought the computer prior to this update even being released, I can't see how
it's the computer manufacturers fault.

 

[Guest]

By the way, since you were so quick to defend Microsoft, maybe you could read
my original post again. I guess you didn't notice that I the whole problem
was a result of a Microsoft vulnerability in their internet games that come
with XP (reversi, checkers, chess, etc) that allow hackers to corrupt data on
another players computer.

 

[raztax]

The vulnerability is in the virus software that failed to block a
virus...a piece of software does not have to be vulnerable to be
infected by a virus, thats why we have AV software there smart guy.

 

[raztax]

Sorry, last post was meant for another thread, 36hours without sleep
will do that to you. Yes it's MS's fault, it's always MS's fault.
Microsoft can't protect you from hackers, that's your job.

My point was that if your OEM hadent neutered your restore cd, then you
wouldnt have this porblem. try pointing it to the folder
c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386

Between c:\windows\i386 and c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 you have
all the files that are on the xp cd as well as the install files for
sp2.

 

[Guest]

Maybe you still don't understand. The hack was to Microsoft Zone Games
included with XP. In this case it happened while playing reversi. It is
absolutely Microsoft that is at fault. They provide this game as part of
their XP software. They also provide the zone game network that it is played
across. If their network and software if vunerable to attack then obviously
the fault lies there.


None of your suggestions work. If it were that easy, I wouldn't be on here
looking for answers. Stop being a smart ass. If you don't know how to
resolve this issue then please do not reply.