SP3 with SOTEC laptop

[Robbabob]

I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC
laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a
backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my face
now. My computer is about 6 years old.

Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the
\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to
attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original
Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want to
perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit the
bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

Thanks in advance for the replys.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for
Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and
e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows
XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

 

[Stephen Harris]

I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC
laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a
backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my face
now. My computer is about 6 years old.

Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the
\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to
attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original
Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want to
perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit the
bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

Thanks in advance for the replys.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

Try booting into Windows Safe Mode by tapping F8 repeatedly.
You may be able to load Windows and then choose to remove
SP3 from Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs. That will revert
to I assume SP2. Then you can read the install instructions and
make a backup before trying to update to SP3 again (which is not
all that criticial of an update if you kept current with SP2).
If the F8 Safe Mode doesn't work you will need some type of
Rescue cd that will let you go to the C:\ drive and manually
uninstall SP3, using spuninst.

 

[robbabob]

Thank you for the replys. I've been away from my computer and will be able
to try these on Wednesday.

 

[robbabob]

The highest level of confidence I had with saving my system was to follow a
post that says to get a copy of the file in question back where it belongs.
In this case, a friend had a "Live CD" to boot my computer up with and this
had bioinfo.inf in the 386 directory. A simple copy of that file into the
Windows Inf directory allowed my computer to start windows.

That's the nutshell of the fix. Other Inf files may need to be put back
into the directory for certain programs to work, but at least I now have
access to my data.

Thanks again,
Robb