Installation help

[LLEWIS]

I'm trying to help my parents fix their computer by re-installing Windows XP.
The installation is not working because there is a missing file from the
service pack. I have the Windows cd in the computer, but I don't know the
path I am suppoed to type to get it from the disk. Can anyone help me? thanks.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm trying to help my parents fix their computer by re-installing Windows XP.
The installation is not working because there is a missing file from the
service pack. I have the Windows cd in the computer, but I don't know the
path I am suppoed to type to get it from the disk. Can anyone help me? thanks.

If you want to do a clean reinstallation, just boot from the Windows
XP CD (change the BIOS boot order if necessary to accomplish this) and
follow the prompts for a clean installation (delete the existing
partition by pressing "D" when prompted, then create a new one).

You can find detailed instructions here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

or here
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp.htm

or here http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

or here http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Remember that a clean reinstallation causes the loss of everything on
the drive, so back up anything you need first.

 

[LLEWIS]

Thank you, but the reason I am re-installing is that Windows isn't starting
in the first place because a file was deleted and now the installation is
stuck halfway through. I've tried restarting but it just comes back to the
same point in the installation. How do I get out of the installation if it
keeps coming back to the same point?

 

[VVIJA]

There is no way to get back to desktop or any other thing if you are stuck in
the middle of setup(ofcourse you can boot of the disk and try reinstalling
windows.)
Also if you know the name of the file... post it here and while you are in
the middle of setup you can always press shift+F10 key and you will get a
command prompt and can try to copy that file from the cd itself. there would
be a folder named i386 in the disk which contains all the files related to
windows xp.

POST THE FILE NAME AND error message and we can tell you the command you
need to type.

And if you want to go with clean installation try the link
http://www.windowsreinstall.com

 

[Daave]

Thank you, but the reason I am re-installing is that Windows isn't
starting in the first place because a file was deleted and now the
installation is stuck halfway through. I've tried restarting but it just
comes back to the same point in the installation. How do I get out
of the installation if it keeps coming back to the same point?

Are you trying to perform a clean install or a repair install?

At what point does the installation "get stuck?"