I have no CD - how do I get at Windows XP setup?

Hi,
When I open my computer the Windows does not load. It used to have Win98. It says that it is missing a file that is needed to run windows. All I can do is write stuff in front of c:/ . I have bought a new XP CD and would like to install it on the computer. It is suppose to run the CD after I put it in and restart the computer but it doesn't.
Any Help will be appriciated.
Thankyou

Hi Leo,

I have a Time 8375 which refused to boot my Windows XP Professional CD. With computer corrupt and Time's restore discs not working, I set about installing using your winnt.exe hint.

1. Booted from Windows 98 CD and selected "Start Computer with CD-ROM Support"
2. Put in Windows 95 CD, moved to win95 folder (cd win95) and typed smartdrv and pressed Enter.
3. Inserted Windows XP CD, moved to i386 folder (cd i386), typed winnt and pressed Enter.
4. Setup copied files to the hard disk
5. Message informed me that the MS-DOS part is complete and to press enter to restart
6. Ejected CD and pressed Enter
7. Machine rebooted from Hard disk and "normal" setup commenced!

I just wish I'd found your site earlier. Thanks!

actually my system has windows 98 as os.but i want to update windows xp without disturbing other files how can i do it.is there any websites available for updates or d i have to go for cd?if so where can i get it?

You can purchase Windows XP at many computer stores, both online and off, and then just install from the CD ... it will upgrade your existing installation.

plesa answer this;

Can i burn the i368 file from my laptop on to my pc,which recently crashed and lost it's operating system, and install Windows XP? I contacted Microsoft and they said I need a restore cd from my manufacturer(eMachines) which was going to cost me 80 dollars. Anyway I have a c.oa. and just need a copy of Windows XP, and wanted to know if my computer, which has an empty hard drive, could have xP with the i368 if i use my own c.o.a. from the o.e.m.

Hi Leo,

Please respond to this. I don't know too much about computers, but i tried you i386 method. The i386 file is over 1 GB in size so i can't burn it on a single cd. How do i split this, or do i do something else. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS.

Thanks

Masoum: I don't have an answer yet. I noted that my own I386 directory is over 800Meg, so I'm looking into solutions, but I don't have one yet.

Sir, I want to know, how can one get the corrupt data recover from a corrupt compact disc.
Please help me sir, I have a cd which had my most important data in it.
Thank you
Imran Shaikh

The best approach is to try different machines. CDs that are unreadable in one machine can sometimes be read by another. Otherwise I'd simple copy the entire CD to my hard drive, making sure to ignore any errors that come up. You won't get ALL of your data, but you should get most of it. If the errors are in the directory area of the CD, you may be out of luck.

I bought a Laptop from emachine, they only gave me a recovery CD (3 of them) which are exact image of the configurated system made using Symantec Ghost software, not copies of the actual operating system windows XP, this is unfair since when I bought the machine, I already paid for the operating system, that I don t even have it!!
In the light of the above, I want to know how to make a windows setup CD from the already installed Windows XP on my computer; I hate to pay twice for the same thing, that is why I am not paying more money to Bill Gates.

Thank you.