error message when booting, can't seem to fix

[smurphy]

cannot get my computer to boot the message is "windows
could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt system32\Drivers\pci.sys you can attempt to
repair this file by starting windows setup using original
setup cd select 'r' at first screen", when i attempt this
i get error messages there also, such as
"the file acpi.sys is corrupted press any key to
continue" and after hitting any key the message "setup
failed press any key to restart your computer".
if i let it run thru again this message pops up "file
setup.sys could not be loaded error code is 4"
Additionally i have 2 removable harddrives and have tried
to boot from either to get it going, but only 1 runs XP
the other has 98 on it could i have messed up something
there using the xp cd for both?

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

cannot get my computer to boot the message is "windows
could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt system32\Drivers\pci.sys you can attempt to
repair this file by starting windows setup using original
setup cd select 'r' at first screen", when i attempt this
i get error messages there also, such as
"the file acpi.sys is corrupted press any key to
continue" and after hitting any key the message "setup
failed press any key to restart your computer".
if i let it run thru again this message pops up "file
setup.sys could not be loaded error code is 4"

Try to start Windows in the Safe Mode. If this works, from Start > Run
execute
SFC /scannow
to test the Windows core files.
If you cannot start Windows or this does not help you may want to
reinstall Windows to make sure that all files are in order.
"A Description of the Safe Boot Mode Options in Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315222)
"How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341)