Missing Files and folders

Every time I boot up my computer it goes to a screen that says there's a fil that is missing or corrupted called /Windows/System32/Config/Windows . It also says I should use the setup disk in order to repair this file but I dont have the original Windows XP disk, is there anyway around this ? I have Windows 98 and 95 setup disks. Also, this happened after I deleted the Win95 and Win98 folders I used to upgrade to Win XP Pro.

 

At a guess the upgrade didn't complete normally so unless you have an XP install disk to work from, I think you are probably out of luck.

I don't find a file in that location as being a normal piece of XP-pro though. Are you certain about the error? Does windows load after you acknowledge the error?

 

I don't see a file or folder called Windows at that location.
How did you upgrade without a cd? Just as an aside, I have seen all kinds of wierd probs occur from, shall we say, less-than-legal disks?
Anyways, I agree with Newt, it sounds like you really need a cd to fix this problem.

 

I used a 3rd party disc to intall and upgrade. I used to be able to boot up and get to the desktop just fine. I thought I would free up space and delete the Windows 98 and 95 folders since I did that that's when this whole problem came up. And all the computer goes to is that screen that says I should reboot then press "r" on the first screen after I insert the original install disc. And I tried getting to the desktop through safe made and trying to reformat through command prompt but neither one does me any good.

Do you think purchasing Home Edition Full Install would do anything because at the moment that's all I can afford.

 

It can't hurt. I don't know if it will fix your current problem, but if it doesn't, at least you'll be able to install from scratch.

 

But that's the thing though I wouldnt be able to start from scratch because I cant reformat the system though. I did the F5 thing it gave me the choice of Safe Mode and it didnt work. I did the Command Prompt and then typed in format /s C: and it didnt work. So if this doesnt work then I won't be able to save the hard drive I think.

 

Do you have a Win98 Startup disk ?

If so, boot to it and see if you can run Format.

When 98 was installed, did you boot from the HD or the Floppy to run setup ?

BillyBob

 

What I did was install through prompt command I copied from the Full Install of Win95 then copied the upgrade Win98 SE. Then I rebooted it went into command prompt in which I did the setup for Win98 SE. Basically I followed the instructions of this thread here http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=27659

 

If you have your XP disk, you don't need the files and folders from your older versions of Windows, just your 95 or 98 cd to prove you're entitled to the update.

With a real XP disk, no command prompt formatting is needed. XP will give you your options during set up. I am partial to the long format, because old problems don't carry over to the XP install that way. If you don't have a legit XP disk, you may want to purchase one, because you're in limbo now.

Johanna

 

Here's a strange problem I have a completely separate computer that I just freshly formatted and installed Windows 95 and 98 only and the same problem arose with that computer and the only thing that could have possibly caused this problem to arose is the ramstick I used from the computer earlier mentioned in this thread. Should I remove the stick? Also another problem is I tried using a boot floppy to see if I could reformat but instead of giving me the Hard drive it would take me directly to the virtual ramdrive. Why would this happen? BTW Thanks to you all for the help.