Repair install "cannot create folder"

[Jess Jackson]

Hi:

I am helping my son resolve a BSOD boot problem with Windows XP Home. He
cannot boot in any way (not safe mode or last good configuration, etc.).
He gets a BSOD within a couple of seconds of the XP start up splash screen.

I suggest a "repair install." He has a Dell PC with a full XP Home Disc.
But as soon as the "repair install" starts, he gets the following message...

"Setup cannot create the folder \windows\system32\wbem\xml"

I had him boot a "Recovery Console" and browse to the
\windows\system32\wbem directory. He does not see an "xml" subdirectory.
That is odd as I checked three XP installations I have access to and all
have that directory. I guess it is possible that the "xml" directory is
there but is possibly hidden or read only?

We really want to avoid a full re-install as he has user files he wants
to recover before hand (I gave him the "backup your data" lecture --
grin). I am sending him Knoppix 3.8.1 which should let him copy all his
user data to his USB thumb drive.

But, any help on getting this "repair install" to work would be appreciated.

Does this appear to be a possible virus issue? He says he has keep his
definitions up to date.

Thanks for any ideas.

Jess

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Jess

Have you had a look at the following article by Michael Stevens regarding a
'Repair' install of XP:

"How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure if you should see an XML folder , although it could be hidden.

You could try using the attrib command.

see the below KB article.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549

the command would look like :
attrib -h c:\windows\system32\wbem\xml ( should remove the hidden attribute)

However from what I can remember there could be a permissions issue on the
folder , if you try and access the xml sub-folder , do you get an access
denied ?

 

[Jess Jackson]

Hi Will:

A great article and very helpful generally but we get stuck at the
"Setup cannot create the folder..." point in the repair install.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Jess

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Jess

Has the XP CD been used before for either a 'Clean' install or 'Repair'
install of XP? Is it possible for you to post the Stop Code from the BSOD?
With that, a narrowing down of the intial problem may be possible.