Big problem when installing XP SP3

[Skater]

This is what I do step by step:

1. I turn the computer on with the XP install disc already in the drive.

2. I repeatedly tap the F12 key to bring up the boot menu.

3. I choose "CD/DVD: PM-HL-DT-ST DVD-RW_GSA-H".

4. I press a key to "boot from the CD" and wait for everything to load.

5. I tap the "r" key to start the recovery console.

6. I now see a prompt, "C:\>".

7. I type in "cd System32", as instructed by Matt, immediately after this prompt.

8. I now have the problem - it says "There is no floppy disk or CD in the drive" underneath.

There is nothing I can do when this error appears. I really hope there is a solution to it, I really would like to keep my files.

 

[Abhas]

This is what I do step by step:

1. I turn the computer on with the XP install disc already in the drive.

2. I repeatedly tap the F12 key to bring up the boot menu.

3. I choose "CD/DVD: PM-HL-DT-ST DVD-RW_GSA-H".

4. I press a key to "boot from the CD" and wait for everything to load.

5. I tap the "r" key to start the recovery console.

6. I now see a prompt, "C:\>".

7. I type in "cd System32", as instructed by Matt, immediately after this prompt.

8. I now have the problem - it says "There is no floppy disk or CD in the drive" underneath.

There is nothing I can do when this error appears. I really hope there is a solution to it, I really would like to keep my files.

After step 6, instead of doing step 7, do step 6.5 :
6.5. Type "cd windows"

Now the prompt should be C:\Windows>
Now continue with
step 7.

If it still says There is no Floppy disk or CD, there is something wrong..

What is your floppy drive letter, and your CD rom drive letter?
This could be an issue related to drive letters...

Anyway, try step 6.5 1st.

Btw... if you can get hold of a Windows XP Pro disc, you should try doing it with that.

 

[Skater]

After step 6, instead of doing step 7, do step 6.5 :
6.5. Type "cd windows"

Now the prompt should be C:\Windows>
Now continue with
step 7.

If it still says There is no Floppy disk or CD, there is something wrong..

What is your floppy drive letter, and your CD rom drive letter?
This could be an issue related to drive letters...

Anyway, try step 6.5 1st.

Btw... if you can get hold of a Windows XP Pro disc, you should try doing it with that.

That step results in the same problem. It took me some effort to get a Windows XP Home Edition disc, I wouldn't be able to get a different one for a while.

Incidentally, I typed in "chkdsk" after the prompt and "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems" appeared. This sounds very damning.

 

[Harrypotter_fan]

You could try re installing xp , but you would lose all the data on your C drive

 

[Skater]

You could try re installing xp , but you would lose all the data on your C drive

I don't want to do that. My computer has my schoolwork on it, as well as the files for the Planet Cricket Elite and my Norwich story.

Would I have more luck with a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 disc?

 

[Harrypotter_fan]

I don't want to do that. My computer has my schoolwork on it, as well as the files for the Planet Cricket Elite and my Norwich story.

Would I have more luck with a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 disc?

Do you store all your stuff on your windows drive?

 

[Skater]

Do you store all your stuff on your windows drive?

I suppose so, like many people, it was all in My Documents.

 

[Harrypotter_fan]

I too store stuff in the My Documents folder, but I move it to another drive. (TIP: To move your my documents folder, Start -> Right Click On My Documents -> Properties -> Change the Target)

 

[Skater]

I too store stuff in the My Documents folder, but I move it to another drive. (TIP: To move your my documents folder, Start -> Right Click On My Documents -> Properties -> Change the Target)

It is too late to do that now. I am running out of ideas to fix the computer.

 

[MattW]

There is another way to change the file (which is all you need to do to get it to boot, don't think about reinstalling to solve this, and an XP Home disc won't work for Media Center).

Go to http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/, this is a website for an XP boot disc, basically you will need to get this software (free) on another computer with a CD burner (and a blank disc).

Basically this will get you essentially a bootable copy of Windows, from there you can open up a command line and type in the commands I gave earlier (though some things may be different). It is slightly difficult to get ready, but it might be easier to get working.

I can't give you a detailed explanation, but there are tutorials around to help you with it.

 

[Harrypotter_fan]

If nothing works and you don't want to lose your data, install an operating system on a partition other than the windows one, backup the data you want with that operating system, and again install xp on C:

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

Ah. Matt has hit the nail on the head. Basically, Bart's PE builder will make you a "Live CD" of windows. So you can boot up windows with the Live CD, and then use any pen drive or anything to backup your data. Then just simply re-install windows.

I guess you know what's a Live CD? Basically its a cd with runtime components. What happens is that when you boot with that CD, the computer loads all essential data into RAM and runs windows from there, ofcourse it has the CD for additional files. Its pretty much like any Linux Cd. This will allow you to safely take a backup of your files. And the Live CD wouldn't do anything to your partitions, since it purely runs from the CD.

 

[Hitterman]

I'll recommand you all not to use win xp sp3. I tried and it is too buggy.

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

I'll recommand you all not to use win xp sp3. I tried and it is too buggy.

Well that's why it is a Release candidate which is meant for testing purposes. You need to understand that not every new release is the best one, and you need to stop drowning the name of things.

 

[Hitterman]

I have no problem i just wanted to inform users what i experienced but if you have problem than why i shoulod worry about this .