Pci.sys missing or corrupt...(I've tried everything)

[JoeyStalin]

This is not a new problem but none of the internet remedys have worke
for me yet.

I'm getting the System32\drivers\pci.sys missing or corrupt messag
when trying to boot XP.
Now, I've tried going to my recovery console and tryed "expan
drive:\i386\pci.sy_ C:\winnt\system32\drivers /y" all I get is acces
denied. So then I re-booted from my XP disk and pressed enter t
install windows xp. Now supposedly I sould get a repair "r" option, bu
I don't. It tells me I need to format to install. I guess when yo
recived that "r" option it will bring you the option of typing th
admin passsword so I won't get the access denied message when I'
expanding.

The bottom line is that there is one REALLY important folder I need o
my C: drive and really don't care about anything else. If anyone coul
help me that would really keep me from jumping off a bridge.

Thanks

 

[peter]

When you try for the NEW installation in order to reach the repair option
does it show the fact that you have XP installed??
What version of XP are you using??...OEM? Retail?? upgrade?? full??
peter

 

[peter]

another thing to try
While in the Recovery Console before you expand type
set AllowAllPaths=true
this will allow you to overwrite files in the directory C:\winnt....if that
is the directory that XP is installed into
peter

 

[John John]

Slight correction, peter. That is not what the set AllowAllPaths = true
command does (note the spaces before and after the = sign). For
security purposes the default setings for the Recovery Console do not
allow users to browse folders other than the root and system folders.
ALLOWALLPATHS = TRUE removes this restriction and permits the user to
browse the entire drive and permits access to all files and folders on
the drive(s). For the allowallpaths = true to work the SET command for
the Recovery Console must be already enabled, the SET command is enabled
in the Security Policy.

John

 

[John John]

It sounds like the file system on the drive is corrupt. A telltale sign
of this corruption is getting an Access Denied on the Root and System
folders during a properly logged on Recovery Console session. A further
confirmation can be taken from the setup program telling you that you
need to format the drive to install Windows. Remember that to properly
log on to the Recovery Console you MUST enter the installation number
presented on the menu. When the console launches you will see a menu
like so:

---------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Windows(R) Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log on to
(To cancel, press ENTER)?
------------------------------------------------------------

At that point you have to enter the correct number (1 in this case) and
press enter. If you try to run commands without doing this step you
will get Access Denied messages.

To repair the file system corruption you will have to run a chkdsk on
the drive, you can run the chkdsk from the Recovery Console or you can
mount the disk in another NT type computer and run it from there. Be
aware that you may lose files when chkdsk does its things, that is a
risk that you have to accept if you want to attempt to repair the file
system. The chkdsk command is one of the commands that can be run at
the Recovery Console prompt even if you cannot log on to the Console.

Good Luck!

John

 

[peter]

Thank you....I learn something every day
peter

Slight correction, peter. That is not what the set AllowAllPaths = true
command does (note the spaces before and after the = sign). For security
purposes the default setings for the Recovery Console do not allow users
to browse folders other than the root and system folders. ALLOWALLPATHS =
TRUE removes this restriction and permits the user to browse the entire
drive and permits access to all files and folders on the drive(s). For
the allowallpaths = true to work the SET command for the Recovery Console
must be already enabled, the SET command is enabled in the Security
Policy.

John