Windows File Protection Error

I have XP ver 2002 with no service pacs, on a HP Pavillion XT983, I am getting an error "FIles that are required for windows to operate propely have been replaced by unrecognized versions, to maintain system stability, windows must restore the original versions of these files" then it asks for my original windows CD. Of course I cannot find it. but the error will not go away, does any one know how to fix this? I am really stuck.

thanks

 

Without the XP install CD you are pretty well stuck.

Sounds like your system is now a fatal crash just waiting to happen so good if you make copies of all the personal files you don't want to lose.

 

Reinstall Windows

What if I get another copy of windows XP and install it, will that save me?

 

System Restore?

How about system restore, can I do that?

 

System Restore is certainly worth a shot. Do your backup before going into anything drastic.

If you never get on the Internet, you may be OK with your out of date system. Even so, there are some updates and Hotfixes that could be of value to you. It would be worth the effort to get some friend to download and burn them to a CD for you. Start with SP2 and then there are somewhere around 20 Hotfixes since that.

There are also some less critical updates that apply to software and hardware issues. Those can be at the root of your problem perhaps.

Good luck.

 

Try running sfc /scannow and when it asks for the CD see if you can direct it to the file I386 which should be in the Windows folder. There is another hidden folder that has all the Windows files. I think it is cachedll(not sure of name). Maybe these folders have the files you need that are on the windows CD.

 

Thanks for the advice. I tried your suggestion however it would keep getting interuppted by the Windows protection error. Do you think getting a new or an upgrade copy of XP could save me?

 

Just curious...why did you decline to install the service packs and updates? My XP is NOT the same animal it was 3 ½ years ago, and I think the changes have been improvements. Just wondering.

Johanna

 

Never got around to it. Do you have any ideas on what I should do, do you think installing a new version of XP would work?

 

If you can get your hands on a copy of XP's I386 file and use the hack and technique discussed in this thread, you may be able to recover from the protected file corruption.

Good Luck

Martin