Reinstalling Windows Without the CD

[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

[Shenan Stanley]

Steve Schroder wrote:
> 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.

While it is possible to make an installable 'set' out of what you might have
in a i386 directory on your computer, I wouldn't recommend it. You'd be
much better off/better served obtaining a copy of Windows XP (likely OEM
given your description) from a friend, family member or co-worker) and using
it with the product key likely stuck on the computer (or run Belarc advisor
and get the current key...)

All the message, "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on
your computer is newer than the version on the CD." is telling you is that
you likely have Windows XP with SP3 installed on your machine right now and
the version you are trying to run (from within Windows XP - which is like
standing on a rug, refusing to get off the rug but insisting on picking it
up) is not SP3. It is RTM, SP1/1a or SP2 - so it is older than what you
currently have and cannot be used to perform a 'upgrade' install on what you
have.

You cannot just 'copy all the apps' - unless you actually mean you will be
copying the installation files (not the INSTALLED, the executables that
actually do the installation) and then installing the applications on a
clean install.

Also - you have no method of "delete all the Windows updates, then reinstall
Windows from c:\i386" that I see...

When you bought your computer, they had to give you a way to restore the
computer to an as-purchased state (if this was not a second-hand sale.)
What was that method? Usually it is either a partition on the disk drive or
a set of CDs (sometimes you even have to MAKE those CDs yourself after
purchase) - but they have to give you that. Look through the material that
came with your computer and/or tell us the make/model of the computer.

Given your choice of laptops at $350 (laptops, not NetBooks) - you aren't
aiming too high and you (given how much experience you have in this) might
actually get a working product faster purchasing something like that. ;-)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

[Al[_5_]]

It is not unusual for an OEM to include the i386 folder, and usually so when
they do not provide a CD. The message regarding "a newer" version" is a
result of installation of XP SPs.
To use a CD, or the i386 folder, requires uninstalling the service pack or
adding the SP (Slipstreaming) to the CD. SP can be uninstalled via Control
Panel.

[Daave[_8_]]

Steve Schroder wrote:
> 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.

What is the make and model of your PC? It's possible your PC comes with
a hidden recovery partition.