System Restore

[gwhit227]

Problem Description: My Dell Dimension 4600, with Windows XP Home Edition,
crashed a few months ago and, even though I have a new Dell Inspiron 530S
with Windows Vista, I really need to restore my old computer.

I used the System Restore CD that came with the computer, and it gets to a
point then says, "Please insert Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1." I
downloaded what I thought was this needed item from Microsoft on a CD, but
when I run it, I get "The file 'asms' on Windows XP Home Edition SP1 is
needed. Type the path where the file is located. Copy files from :
'D:\I386".

Is there any way I can overcome this problem on my own?
Thank you for any help you can give me.

Operating System: Windows XP

 

[Don Phillipson]

Problem Description: My Dell Dimension 4600, with Windows XP Home Edition,
crashed a few months ago and, even though I have a new Dell Inspiron 530S
with Windows Vista, I really need to restore my old computer.

Before tinkering with the DIM 4600, you should save its
essential data to the INSP 530, which probably has ample
unused space. Both probably have standard NIC jacks
on the back panel, so if you connect them via NIC cable
and boot the Vista PC (and turn on power to the old PC)
you should see the old PC's drive as an extra drive on
the Vista PC.

Once this is OK and all essential data copied safely, you can
reinstal XP on the old PC starting from scratch (reformat.)

I used the System Restore CD that came with the computer, and it gets to a
point then says, "Please insert Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1." I
downloaded what I thought was this needed item from Microsoft on a CD, but
when I run it, I get "The file 'asms' on Windows XP Home Edition SP1 is
needed. Type the path where the file is located. Copy files from :
'D:\I386".

Is there any way I can overcome this problem on my own?

1. These menus usually have a / BROWSE button. After
clicking on that you can navigate to any drive or folder.
2. It may help beforehand if you write down the full filepath
for any file requested during installation that is not automatically
found. Setting file types visible helps this (lets you distinguish
FILENAME.DLL from FILENAME.ASM.)
3. But if you reinstal the full OS from the CD this need ought
not to arise.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Contact Dell Support or post here instead:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/3512.aspx