XP MCE 2005 will not install because of missing files in XP_PROSP2

[wcole]

I have a friends Sony Desktop computer with 3 gig cpu, 1 gb ram and bad SATA
drive. He purchased XP MCE 2005 from the store (PC came with XP MCE but no
disks and its been too long and they will not send CD's to allow him to
reload).

I start to install the new XP MCE 2005 and get through the first 2 install
disks for XP MCE 2005. Now it is asking for files off the XP PRO SP2 CD
which didn't come with XP MCE 2005. I tried to use the XP_SP2_KB??????.exe
file, but it doesn't contain the hscsp_w3.cab file. I have tried to use the
3rd disk with the package It is also an executable file and it wants Dot Net
1.1 and 1.1 SP1 installed first before it will install or keep a list of
files to see if it has what the install wants.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a friends Sony Desktop computer with 3 gig cpu, 1 gb ram and
bad SATA drive. He purchased XP MCE 2005 from the store (PC came
with XP MCE but no disks and its been too long and they will not
send CD's to allow him to reload).

I start to install the new XP MCE 2005 and get through the first 2
install disks for XP MCE 2005. Now it is asking for files off the
XP PRO SP2 CD which didn't come with XP MCE 2005. I tried to use
the XP_SP2_KB??????.exe file, but it doesn't contain the
hscsp_w3.cab file. I have tried to use the 3rd disk with the
package It is also an executable file and it wants Dot Net
1.1 and 1.1 SP1 installed first before it will install or keep a
list of files to see if it has what the install wants.

Skip them.

The problem is that it wants files you won't have. I don't know why you
have three CDs anyway - pretty sure MCE is two CDs.

Did the CDs have any SP integrated?

In the end - you will have some .NET cleanup to do - just try installing the
..NETs in order from the full distributables.

You say your friend purchased MCE 2005 from the store - but you semi-clarify
that the computer came with it but no CDs. MCE is OEM only. It can be
bought from some online retailers without buying a computer - but for the
most part - it came with the computers. If the manufacturer did not give
CDs of some sort or a method to restore the system to the as-sold state -
they broke *their* agreement.

Anyway - I am assuming this is not a *clean* install - a repair maybe?

The install is asking for files that it assumes are on one of the two
Windows XP MCE CDs. It calls it Windows XP Professional - unfortunately -
because MCE is just Professional with certain features removed and certain
features added. If they are not there and these are updated MCE CDs
(integrated with SP3) - then you are unlikely to find the files you need and
should - as I said -skip them.

 

[smlunatick]

I have a friends Sony Desktop computer with 3 gig cpu, 1 gb ram and bad SATA
drive.  He purchased XP MCE 2005 from the store (PC came with XP MCE but no
disks and its been too long and they will not send CD's to allow him to
reload).  

I start to install the new XP MCE 2005 and get through the first 2 install
disks for XP MCE 2005.  Now it is asking for files off the XP PRO SP2 CD
which didn't come with XP MCE 2005.  I tried to use the XP_SP2_KB??????..exe
file, but it doesn't contain the hscsp_w3.cab file.  I have tried to use the
3rd disk with the package  It is also an executable file and it wants Dot Net
1.1 and 1.1 SP1 installed first before it will install or keep a list of
files to see if it has what the install wants.

XP MCE (any version) is to be install as a clean install. Boot the PC
with the MCE 2007 disk one and then "clear" the partition table. This
is to only way as the installed version of MCE has possibly SP2
applied to it.

 

[David B.]

Yes it did, the XP PRO SP2 CD is disk one, it's just a poorly worded prompt.
The proper disk sequence for a Media Center installation is disk 1, disk 2,
then disk 1 again.