trying to restore a crashed hard drive

Hi I am trying to restore a computer (Compaq Presario) that had a crashed hard drive I think at least that is what I got told.It is my old computer and I got it up the one screen that I can not get past and it is a files needed screen.It says The files 'asms' on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 CD is needed. Well I do not have a Service pack 1 CD at all.I have looked it up online for one to download and I have not found really any.I have found one and I tried it and nothing.In the path box I guess you could call it it says GLOBALROOT\DEVICE\CDROM0\I386 that never changes even with the CD I made in it.I need help to tell me if I am doing the wrong thing or what.I have been trying to do this for a couple of days now and it is driving me nuts.It has been crashed for about 6 months now and I just now started messing with it because I did find a CD that did help me but now I am stuck again.

Thank you so much for your time and take care.

 

Hi, to update your XP service packs, you need to first install SP1a, you can get that from here:

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/winxpsp1.html

after you have installed that, do install SP3, from here and also have a read of the how to.

The page refers to SP1a but since that is no longer supported by MS it will guide you to SP3.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-service-pack-3-sp3

Follow the instructions.

Hope this will help you.

hawk22

Also please have a read of Arie's XP Service pack guide here:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/57776-general-information-windows-xp-xp-sp1-xp-sp2-sp3.html

 

Hi.Thank you for the information.How do I transfer it to a CD so I know that I am doing it right?

Thank you

 

You need to create an ISO file, if I remember correctly the download from MS SP3 will be in a ISO file, but the SP1a I don't know. It all depends on your burning software that you have installed on your PC most of them will convert and burn ISO files, here is a free one in case you don't have one.

http://www.downloadatoz.com/winiso/how-to-create-iso-images.html

hawk22

 

So when I do this I just use the burn to ISO file option on it?

Oh and one more thing.Do I have to open the file after I download it or can I just download it and when it is done then burn it?What kind of CD's do you recommend for this?I am sorry I hope this is not too many questions and I hope I am not getting in over my head.I thought this would be pretty easy lol

I have a burner that is called CDBurnerXP I read about it on another site.

 

Any CD will do whatever your Optical Drive uses best CD-R + or - most drives it does not matter.
Select burn to ISO on your burner. You then can use them again when in need or if you are game enough make yourself some Slipstreamed XP SP3 disk.

 

Wish me luck in doing this.I am new at all this like I said so what is slipstreamed XP SP3?Do the ones I am wanting have to be in slipstreamed?

 

No, Sorry I am a bit busy right now it is 8 minutes to midnight here in Melbourne time to start celebrating the new Year.................. talk to you next Year...............

 

Hi, and a happy New Year to you,
No will not need a slipstream at this time, but it is always handy to have a slipstreamed CD at hand for when you are re-installing XP.
I use nLite

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/windows-xp/slipstream-xp/

 

Hi I need some more help with this lol.I am using a CD-R disc and I try burning it using the burner above and it is telling me it is not the right disc.Is there a certain one I need?

Thank you

 

It will need to be a clean CD, no other stuff on it, have you had problems before using CD-R, try CD+R. You can make these disks on any other PC that you know will work.

 

Hi again ok so I made a CD with a CD-R and it worked but I put it into the one computer and it changed the name with a D drive and I push ok and it loads but the screen never changes

 

Sorry, but I don't quite follow what you are trying to tell me.
Have you installed SP1a, as you need this before you can install SP3.
Have you read and followed the instructions given in the links in a previous reply.

 

Try booting from a windows xp cd and select the repair option. Repair the MBR and see if that helps

 

I do not have a windows xp cd

 

Try a recovery utility/disk repair from microsoft. Also google erd commander 2005. I believe it is free. It has useful utilities

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee532075.aspx

 

oh thank you so much

 

hi i finally got around to looking at the website above and im not sure what one i want to use..can you please help me?i dont want to do the wrong one and end up erasing all the work ive got one so far..thank you again for you help..take care