S
Steve Schroder
I ran across a web site (http://guides.wkbw.com/How_to_Reinstall
Windows_XP_Without_the_CD-a991823.html) about the Subject. Apparently there
is a copy of Windows in c:\i386, and I don't have the install CD because it
was lost in a fire in 2005. But when I click on winnt32.exe I get the
message "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
computer is newer than the version on the CD.
Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered."
I assume that the version of Windows I am using is newer than the one in
c:\i386 because I have sp3 and all the other updates Microsoft has provided
over the years. My current version of Windows is definitely corrupted.
Anytime I use Start>Search, or install a Windows update, or any number of
other things I get an error message to the effect that Windows Explorer has
encountered an error and has to close. Then I end up having to restart my
computer. XP used to be most stable version of Windows I had used, but
since my laptop was bought in 2002 I don't think it would be worth spending
~$100 for a new XP CD via the Internet, since I could buy a new laptop on
sale for $350.
So what I'm wondering is this: should I go ahead and copy all the apps I
have installed to CDs and 'delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on [my] computer', or copy the apps and delete all the
Windows updates, then reinstall Windows from c:\i386? Maybe it doesn't
matter which way I go. By the way, I have visited Microsoft.com and found
links for sp1, sp2, and sp3. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Thanks in
advance.
Steve
Windows_XP_Without_the_CD-a991823.html) about the Subject. Apparently there
is a copy of Windows in c:\i386, and I don't have the install CD because it
was lost in a fire in 2005. But when I click on winnt32.exe I get the
message "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your
computer is newer than the version on the CD.
Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered."
I assume that the version of Windows I am using is newer than the one in
c:\i386 because I have sp3 and all the other updates Microsoft has provided
over the years. My current version of Windows is definitely corrupted.
Anytime I use Start>Search, or install a Windows update, or any number of
other things I get an error message to the effect that Windows Explorer has
encountered an error and has to close. Then I end up having to restart my
computer. XP used to be most stable version of Windows I had used, but
since my laptop was bought in 2002 I don't think it would be worth spending
~$100 for a new XP CD via the Internet, since I could buy a new laptop on
sale for $350.
So what I'm wondering is this: should I go ahead and copy all the apps I
have installed to CDs and 'delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on [my] computer', or copy the apps and delete all the
Windows updates, then reinstall Windows from c:\i386? Maybe it doesn't
matter which way I go. By the way, I have visited Microsoft.com and found
links for sp1, sp2, and sp3. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Thanks in
advance.
Steve