repair windows from i386 folder / slipstream i386 folder - no disc

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i am trying to help fix a friends computer. it has windows xp home installed
from the factory (emachines). it has been updated with all current updates.
the system will not start windows. it loads as far as the loading windows
screen, displays the moving status bar, then reboots.

the system does not have a dedicated xp disk, only the system restore dvd.
i have tried several other techniques using recovery console but nothing
seems to work. is it possible to repair windows using the i386 folder
installed from the factory. the next question is, if it is possible, can i
somehow slipstream that folder with sp2. when i have tried to run
winnt32.exe, i get the message about being an older versions on windows that
is installed (which was expected).

i can boot into any of the safemode options all day long, just not windows.
i have been digging through the posts for a few hours but with no answwer to
this question.

i am going to try replacing kernel32.dll (kb310396) when i get home later,
along with the suggestions from this site:
http://www.digitalwebcast.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658

the problem occured after they trying to install a new webcam. i have tried
using the system restore function, and so did my friend. this hasnt helped.
i have also ran full chkdsk /p /r to repair any problems on the drive.


thanks for any advice.
 
Slipstreaming works with xp retail copys only,youre oem cd would get
ruined if you try.If xp doesnt start normal,at start up,tap the F8 key,select
safe mode,enter as administrator.
 
thanks, i didnt know that about oem versions. anyway, i have been in
safemode under admin. is there some way to use the windows files under the
i386 directory installed at the factory to repair the installation of
windows? thanks
 
In
gatestoo said:
i am trying to help fix a friends computer. it has windows xp home
installed from the factory (emachines). it has been updated with all
current updates. the system will not start windows. it loads as far
as the loading windows screen, displays the moving status bar, then
reboots.

the system does not have a dedicated xp disk, only the system restore
dvd. i have tried several other techniques using recovery console but
nothing seems to work. is it possible to repair windows using the
i386 folder installed from the factory. the next question is, if it
is possible, can i somehow slipstream that folder with sp2. when i
have tried to run winnt32.exe, i get the message about being an older
versions on windows that is installed (which was expected).

i can boot into any of the safemode options all day long, just not
windows. i have been digging through the posts for a few hours but
with no answwer to this question.

i am going to try replacing kernel32.dll (kb310396) when i get home
later, along with the suggestions from this site:
http://www.digitalwebcast.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658

the problem occured after they trying to install a new webcam. i
have tried using the system restore function, and so did my friend.
this hasnt helped. i have also ran full chkdsk /p /r to repair any
problems on the drive.


thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...

You could try, but I have a feeling it will not work. Back up all the
important data before trying any action. You can always run the restore DVD,
but it will return the system back to the original shipped configuration.

Did they have a restore point to restore to prior to the web cam install?
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
In
Andrew E. said:
Slipstreaming works with xp retail copys only,youre oem cd would get
ruined if you try.If xp doesnt start normal,at start up,tap the F8
key,select safe mode,enter as administrator.
Click to expand...

He has no OEM cd to"ruin" and slipstreaming does not affect the original CD
anyway. Please quit answering question with stupid advice.
 
i have already backed up the most important things. the restore dvd has two
options, one is destructive and will restore to factory condition, the other
will create a new folder for everything that is already on the drive and
restore to factory settings. i wanted to use this as a last resort. i hate
to have to reload everything. is there a list somewhere of startup files
that i could copy from the i386 folder to the current install folder (winnt).
i am sure i would have to re-install all of the patched, but that is easier
than re-installing 20 apps and settings, etc.

as far as the system restore goes, the webcam was installed at the end of
december. we have tried restoring every point since the first of december.
i am going to try disabling auto-restart on crash to see if i get a blue
screen with some error codes.

if this helps any. the very first time i turned on the computer to look at
it, it booted to windows, then before the logon screen appeared, it flashed
the lightblue screen that is displayed when chkdsk runs to check the disks.
it crashed here and rebooted. this is when i went into the recovery console
and ran a full chkdsk with /p and /r parameters. i no longer get this when i
boot, just the 'loading windows" then reboot.

thanks
 
In
gatestoo said:
i have already backed up the most important things. the restore dvd
has two options, one is destructive and will restore to factory
condition, the other will create a new folder for everything that is
already on the drive and restore to factory settings. i wanted to
use this as a last resort. i hate to have to reload everything. is
there a list somewhere of startup files that i could copy from the
i386 folder to the current install folder (winnt). i am sure i would
have to re-install all of the patched, but that is easier than
re-installing 20 apps and settings, etc.

as far as the system restore goes, the webcam was installed at the
end of december. we have tried restoring every point since the first
of december. i am going to try disabling auto-restart on crash to
see if i get a blue screen with some error codes.

if this helps any. the very first time i turned on the computer to
look at it, it booted to windows, then before the logon screen
appeared, it flashed the lightblue screen that is displayed when
chkdsk runs to check the disks. it crashed here and rebooted. this
is when i went into the recovery console and ran a full chkdsk with
/p and /r parameters. i no longer get this when i boot, just the
'loading windows" then reboot.

thanks
Click to expand...

Check the web cam manufacturers web site for any information on removal of
the web cam. Possibly contact their support for help.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
In
gatestoo said:
thanks, i didnt know that about oem versions. anyway, i have been in
safemode under admin. is there some way to use the windows files
under the i386 directory installed at the factory to repair the
installation of windows? thanks

:
Click to expand...

Pay no attention to Andrew E, he is usually wrong and usually his advice
will cause loss of data.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 
i figured it out. what i did was f8 into the boot options, then select the
option not to reboot on system error. i got a BSOD and checked out the
error. it turns out it was the audio drivers. i blew out the ones on the
system and downloaded the latest from creative. everything is working great.
i appreciate everyone's input on my problem. i dont know why i didnt think
to try this earlier.

again thanks

gatestoo
 
In
gatestoo said:
i figured it out. what i did was f8 into the boot options, then
select the option not to reboot on system error. i got a BSOD and
checked out the error. it turns out it was the audio drivers. i
blew out the ones on the system and downloaded the latest from
creative. everything is working great. i appreciate everyone's
input on my problem. i dont know why i didnt think to try this
earlier.

again thanks

gatestoo
Click to expand...

Great, glad you worked it out.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
I borrowed A mates Windows XP Pro Hologram OEM CD. Burned that as a iso
image to my hard drive using Nero. Used WINISO and just deleted the I386
folder and replaced it with the one in C:\Windows. Saved the ISO then burned
it to CD.

I tested the CD in Virtual PC and it booted and installed sucessfully.
 
Kamal said:
I borrowed A mates Windows XP Pro Hologram OEM CD. Burned that as a
iso image to my hard drive using Nero. Used WINISO and just deleted
the I386 folder and replaced it with the one in C:\Windows. Saved the
ISO then burned it to CD.

I tested the CD in Virtual PC and it booted and installed sucessfully.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the very interesting information. Doesn't help the
person that does not have access to a generic OEM CD, but explains why
simply burning the i386 folder and making it bootable has not worked for
most people. I see no licensing problems when used as media for a clean
install or a repair install.
Any further feedback on your process would be most appreciated.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
I found this by doing a search on google.


You CAN make a bootable windows CD from an installed version of windows.
What you want to do is set the option (radio button) for "show hidden system
folders and files" in Tools -> folder options -> view tab. and also uncheck
the "Hide Protected Operating system files" in the folder options -> view
tab as well. This will insure a complete copy.

now, make a folder off your C: drive named "XP" and copy the I386 folder
into there. Mine was located at C:\Windows\I386 yours may be at
C:\Winnt\I386 or C:\I386. so after the copy you should have C:\XP\I386 (copy
the entire I386 folder not just the contents)

now we will be working completly off the C:\XP\I386 folder so close the
C:\Windows\I386 or whatever you have window. so you don't get confused.

Now, open the C:\XP\I386 folder and make sure you have the file Winnt.exe,
Winnt32.exe and EULA.txt. do not modify them just make sure they are there.

Now, i slipstream service pack 1 because thats what my computer has when i
do my restore from the recovery CD's. I do this just to make sure those
files are the original non modified files.

so to slipstream service pack 1, i download service pack 1 from:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp1/network.mspx

and make a folder off the C:\ called "C:\XP-SP1a"

copy the xpsp1a_en_x86.exe (service pack 1 that you downloaded) into the
folder (C:\XP-SP1a).

now run this from Start -> Run. C:\XP-SP1a\xpsp1a_en_x86.exe -x

that will extract the Service Pack. I use the default location for files
"C:\XP-SP1a" when it asks.

once its done extracting. go to Start -> Run. and type
C:\XP-SP1a\Update\Update.exe -S:C:\XP

that will apply the service pack to the folder C:\XP

now, it usually doesn't make the file you needed. you can get it from:
http://bio.pk-designs.com/XP.zip

You will need WIN51 for ANY version of Windows XP. so copy that to C:\XP

For Windows XP Home Edition copy to C:\XP:
WIN51IC and WIN51IC.SP1 (WIN51IC.SP2 for Service Pack 2)

now go to http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/15/ and click
the Link for CDIMAGE GUI download it and install it.

This file will help you make the .iso file to burn.

when you startup the CDImage GUI. in "Specify the root dir of your CD" set
it to "C:\XP"

Set the Path and Filename to the ISO file to wherever you want. I put it on
my second harddrive. so i use (D:\xpcd.iso)

hit the Configuration button on the left and hit the Boot Button at the top
and specify the location to which you installed the CDImage program. mine is
set to "C:\Documents and Settings\Phil\Desktop\CDIMAGE\boot.img"

thats all you have to configure. hit Creation on the left and hit the Start
Image Creation button to make the ISO.
 
In
Kamal said:
I found this by doing a search on google.


You CAN make a bootable windows CD from an installed version of
windows. What you want to do is set the option (radio button) for
"show hidden system folders and files" in Tools -> folder options ->
view tab. and also uncheck the "Hide Protected Operating system
files" in the folder options -> view tab as well. This will insure a
complete copy.
now, make a folder off your C: drive named "XP" and copy the I386
folder into there. Mine was located at C:\Windows\I386 yours may be at
C:\Winnt\I386 or C:\I386. so after the copy you should have
C:\XP\I386 (copy the entire I386 folder not just the contents)

now we will be working completly off the C:\XP\I386 folder so close
the C:\Windows\I386 or whatever you have window. so you don't get
confused.
Now, open the C:\XP\I386 folder and make sure you have the file
Winnt.exe, Winnt32.exe and EULA.txt. do not modify them just make
sure they are there.
Now, i slipstream service pack 1 because thats what my computer has
when i do my restore from the recovery CD's. I do this just to make
sure those files are the original non modified files.

so to slipstream service pack 1, i download service pack 1 from:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp1/network.mspx

and make a folder off the C:\ called "C:\XP-SP1a"

copy the xpsp1a_en_x86.exe (service pack 1 that you downloaded) into
the folder (C:\XP-SP1a).

now run this from Start -> Run. C:\XP-SP1a\xpsp1a_en_x86.exe -x

that will extract the Service Pack. I use the default location for
files "C:\XP-SP1a" when it asks.

once its done extracting. go to Start -> Run. and type
C:\XP-SP1a\Update\Update.exe -S:C:\XP

that will apply the service pack to the folder C:\XP

now, it usually doesn't make the file you needed. you can get it from:
http://bio.pk-designs.com/XP.zip

You will need WIN51 for ANY version of Windows XP. so copy that to
C:\XP
For Windows XP Home Edition copy to C:\XP:
WIN51IC and WIN51IC.SP1 (WIN51IC.SP2 for Service Pack 2)

now go to http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/15/ and
click the Link for CDIMAGE GUI download it and install it.

This file will help you make the .iso file to burn.

when you startup the CDImage GUI. in "Specify the root dir of your
CD" set it to "C:\XP"

Set the Path and Filename to the ISO file to wherever you want. I put
it on my second harddrive. so i use (D:\xpcd.iso)

hit the Configuration button on the left and hit the Boot Button at
the top and specify the location to which you installed the CDImage
program. mine is set to "C:\Documents and
Settings\Phil\Desktop\CDIMAGE\boot.img"
thats all you have to configure. hit Creation on the left and hit the
Start Image Creation button to make the ISO.
Click to expand...

Kamal,
Can you email me, I have a few questions about permissions to use your
information on my web site.
Sounds like it could be a great help to users that need to repair their
systems but did not receive the XP CD to accomplish a repair install.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Mike sounds like a good page to put up I have 4 PC in the house and only one
a Compaq laptop cam with an installable OEM XP disk.

I think I am going to go back to building clones its more expensive but they
run better and you a have disk readily available to do XP restore installs.
 
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