windows xp error message

[Guest]

Evertime I start my computer, I get an error message to insert my windows xp
cd, when I insert it, it says the cd is older than what I have on my
computer. I don't go any further with cd. Can anyone help?

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Kali.

The usual cause of this error message is that WinXP on your computer has
been updated with WinXP SP2, but your original CD-ROM was purchased before
SP2. You must either get a later CD-ROM with SP2 integrated (but that's
expensive) or use your CD burner to create a new CD with SP2 "slipstreamed"
into your original WinXP. This is not hard to do, but you may need
instructions.

But I don't know why you are getting the request for the WinXP CD in the
first place. What is the make and model of your computer? Did it come with
WinXP preinstalled on it? Are you able to boot into WinXP? Into either
Normal or Safe Mode?

RC

 

[Guest]

I have a gateway and windows was preinstalled on it, and yes I can boot into
safe mode. The error message is... Windows file protection.... Files that are
required for windows to run properly have been replaced by an unrecognized
version of windows, must restore the original version of the files...Insert
Windows XP Home Ed cd rom

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Kali.

I've never had a Gateway computer, but many readers here have. Maybe some
of them will jump in with any Gateway-specific advice that might be needed.
You still haven't told us much about your computer. :>( We still don't
know the model (even laptop or desktop?), or how old it is, or which version
of Windows (Win98? WinME? WinXP? with or without SP2?) was preinstalled.
I'm sure you know that Gateway makes dozens of models of computers and they
vary so much that simply "a gateway" doesn't help us help you very much. We
want to help, but we can't see your computer. We don't know anything about
it except what you tell us. So far, that isn't much. :>(

Boot into Safe Mode. Then press <Win>+<Break>. That is, hold down the
Windows logo key (between <Ctrl> and <Alt> on most keyboards) while you
press the <Pause/Break> key, usually in the upper right of the keyboard.
The System Properties window should pop up on your screen. (If it doesn't,
then press Start | Control Panel | System; this should produce the same
window.) In the top part of that window, under System, does it say "Service
Pack 2"?

If it does say SP2, then you will need an updated CD-ROM that has SP2
integrated into WinXP. All recent (since last Summer) CDs should have SP2
integrated. If yours is older, you probably will need to contact Gateway to
find out how to get an updated CD with Gateway's OEM version of WinXP on it.
I'm not sure if the "slipstream" process will work properly to update an OEM
version of WinXP.

In Safe Mode, run the System File Checker by pressing Start | Run and
typing: sfc /scannow

SFC will compare each WinXP operating system file to the "known good" copy
held in your on-disk cache and replace any missing or damaged ones. To do
this, it MIGHT have to retrieve a good copy from your WinXP CD-ROM, so have
that CD handy. If you got SP2 online from Windows Update, you probably have
the latest version of many of those files on your HD in the
\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 folder; if SFC complains that it can't find
the needed files on the CD, point it to that directory.

If this is a new computer, still in warranty, you might need to discuss this
problem with whoever sold it to you.

RC

 

[Guest]

Sorry about that....model # FATXPNTES2 300X...desktop...windows xp. The
computer is less than 2 years old and I installed sp2 after it was purchased.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Kali.

OK. As I said, I don't have a Gateway and I don't recognize that model
number, but someone here should. I hope one of them will jump in with any
Gateway-specific comments that might apply.

HOW did you install SP2? Did you use the free WinXP SP2 CD-ROM from
Microsoft? Or a copy of it? Did you let Windows Update install it
automatically? Or did you download SP2 and install it offline? Do you have
a full WinXP CD-ROM, or did your Gateway come with only a "recovery disk"?
Most versions of those will only restore your computer to its as-new
condition, losing all your intalled applications and data in the process.

My reason for asking all that is to get a handle on how you might proceed.
If you have the original pre-SP2 full WinXP CD-ROM, plus the SP2 CD from
Microsoft, and a CD burner, you should be able to create your own
"slipstreamed" WinXP w/SP2 integrated CD. Instructions for doing this are
widely available. Here is the official Microsoft version:
How to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source
files
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828930/en-us

Or just Google for "slipstream+xp+sp2"; I got about 13,000 hits on that just
now, including this one:
Slipstreamed Windows XP CD Using SP2
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

Once you have the slipstreamed WinXP w/SP2 CD, you can use it to do an
"in-place upgrade", using the instructions in this Knowledge Base article:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q315341

This will completely reinstall WinXP itself, including SP2 if you use the
slipstreamed CD, but will preserve your installed applications and data.

Often, it is quicker and easier to reinstall WinXP than to track down and
fix whatever is causing the various problems. These could have come from a
virus or spyware or other malware - or from any of several other causes.

RC