Tech0rz
asked on
Corrupt or missing file when trying to install windows 2000 pro...sp4.cab
I have been trying to fix my sisters boyfriends mums computer. I re-formatted the drive, then used the 4 setup disks for Windows 2000 Pro, so far so good. Then it gives me the information of the drive, size, file system etc.
The file system was FAT32, and as far as i know, the NTFS is better, and more compatible with Windows 32? maybe compatible is not the word but anyway, I converted the drive to NTFS from FAT32, after that it said:
--------------------------
The following value in the .SIG file used by setup is
corrupt or missing:
Value 0 on the line in section [ SourceDisksFile ]
with key "sp4.cab."
Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3.
--------------------------
It's really a pain because every time i want to try again i have to load the 4 setup disks etc. At the moment it says the File system is NTFS, but then when it asks if i want to partition or install windows, it asks if i want to convert to NTFS...which doesn't really make sense.
Can someone please advise me on the way forward from here? Ideally just a quick step by step guide so i can get this done once and for all. Thx alot.
I am going from Windows ME to Windows 2000 Pro...
The file system was FAT32, and as far as i know, the NTFS is better, and more compatible with Windows 32? maybe compatible is not the word but anyway, I converted the drive to NTFS from FAT32, after that it said:
--------------------------
The following value in the .SIG file used by setup is
corrupt or missing:
Value 0 on the line in section [ SourceDisksFile ]
with key "sp4.cab."
Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3.
--------------------------
It's really a pain because every time i want to try again i have to load the 4 setup disks etc. At the moment it says the File system is NTFS, but then when it asks if i want to partition or install windows, it asks if i want to convert to NTFS...which doesn't really make sense.
Can someone please advise me on the way forward from here? Ideally just a quick step by step guide so i can get this done once and for all. Thx alot.
I am going from Windows ME to Windows 2000 Pro...
Eric
where are the install files located, on a cd or hard drive ? if located on the hard drive, then i would scan the hard drive for any errors or bad secotors.. if located on a cd, then boot to the cd, instead of running the install off of the boot disks..
has the cd that you are using worked in another computer?
have you tried booting directly to the cd insted of the 4 floppies?
is there scratches or dirt on the cd that could be causing read errors?
have you tried booting directly to the cd insted of the 4 floppies?
is there scratches or dirt on the cd that could be causing read errors?
use dispart to delete all partition on the hdd and then create a NTFS partition and reinstall windows.
personally it was my computer i will never upgrade from windows me to 2000
the best thing to do is backup all the data on your windows me then setup your computer in the bios to boot from the cdrom and have the windows 2000 cd format and partition your
hard drive best thing is windows 2000 will do it all in one step and those error that you getting can be related to the sp4 on the cd was not done properly or the sp4 files are damage
the best thing to do is backup all the data on your windows me then setup your computer in the bios to boot from the cdrom and have the windows 2000 cd format and partition your
hard drive best thing is windows 2000 will do it all in one step and those error that you getting can be related to the sp4 on the cd was not done properly or the sp4 files are damage
i mean if was my pc sorry :)
totally agree with natcom on that
First, just boot directly from the CD - not from diskettes! Just switch the boot sequence in the BIOS in include the CDROM drive before C and it should work.
Next, bad disks are common. The file you need may be sitting on a bad sector OR the FDD may have a problem. If you can't boot from cd, just set up a folder with the contents of the 4 disks in individual subfolders on the HDD and run from there.
And, finally, as the last two comments recommended (natcom and crazijoe): Install everything fresh after you have backed up your files. You'll get better results, a faster machine with no extra garbage, and it's easier to maintain. You could even make an image of the current OS on another partition before you start with the installation to make double sure that all your needed files are safe!
Hope this helps.
Rick
Next, bad disks are common. The file you need may be sitting on a bad sector OR the FDD may have a problem. If you can't boot from cd, just set up a folder with the contents of the 4 disks in individual subfolders on the HDD and run from there.
And, finally, as the last two comments recommended (natcom and crazijoe): Install everything fresh after you have backed up your files. You'll get better results, a faster machine with no extra garbage, and it's easier to maintain. You could even make an image of the current OS on another partition before you start with the installation to make double sure that all your needed files are safe!
Hope this helps.
Rick
Sorry, I just re-read the original inquiry (got carried away reading other comments)!
Forget the "imaging" part before - you've already formatted and wiped the original OS. AGAIN, just boot from the CD directly. That should do the trick. If the CD doesn't boot and is only a copy of Windows 2000 and not the original CD: FORGET IT! Software piracy is nothing to play around with. If you have a valid license, just contact Microsoft direct - they will send you an ORIGINAL CD.
Forget the "imaging" part before - you've already formatted and wiped the original OS. AGAIN, just boot from the CD directly. That should do the trick. If the CD doesn't boot and is only a copy of Windows 2000 and not the original CD: FORGET IT! Software piracy is nothing to play around with. If you have a valid license, just contact Microsoft direct - they will send you an ORIGINAL CD.
ASKER
The files are on the CD. I can't change to boot from the floppies because i don't get a chance to enter bios. It just shows the HP INVENT screen then if theres no boot disk it says "XXXX is missing press ctrl alt del to reboot". so i have to boot from the four floppies every time.
How can i scan for errors or bad sectors using Recovery Console. what cmds?
Also what is "Dispart" and how can i use it?
I'm upgrading because windows 2000 pro is the only operating system i have on disk. Besides XP but it would probably die with that on it.
Huntersvcs - I can't really do much of what u advised. Because i can't access my hard drive...
Can anyone help me with recovery console cmds? i'll search net aswell
How can i scan for errors or bad sectors using Recovery Console. what cmds?
Also what is "Dispart" and how can i use it?
I'm upgrading because windows 2000 pro is the only operating system i have on disk. Besides XP but it would probably die with that on it.
Huntersvcs - I can't really do much of what u advised. Because i can't access my hard drive...
Can anyone help me with recovery console cmds? i'll search net aswell
You should be able to get into the BIOS by pressing delete, F2, F10, F12 one of these during the HP INVENT splash screen.
ASKER
well...i didn't know..but its F11...i changed to cd-rom to boot first...and i still get an error saying
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart
this is what i normally get when the boot floppy isn't inserted. But now it is inserted and it says that.
This is getting on my nerves now...i also just tried to reformat again...successfully, then i tried reformatting the partition to NTFS...because i hadn't tried that before...got to 100% and said the original error message about sp4.cab. It says this error message whether the Windows 2000 Pro cd is present or not...does this mean its the hard drive?
Does no one actually know what the problem is here?
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart
this is what i normally get when the boot floppy isn't inserted. But now it is inserted and it says that.
This is getting on my nerves now...i also just tried to reformat again...successfully, then i tried reformatting the partition to NTFS...because i hadn't tried that before...got to 100% and said the original error message about sp4.cab. It says this error message whether the Windows 2000 Pro cd is present or not...does this mean its the hard drive?
Does no one actually know what the problem is here?
ASKER
stuck another 200 points on...
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ASKER
ok...pressing escape worked. And i chose boot from CD. Only to get the NTLDR error. It is a legitamate copy of windows. But maybe damage to the surface thats causing it. I shouldn't need to boot from CD because it works fine when booting from floppy. but the problem is that it won't let me install windows because it says the origanal message...
The following value in the .SIG file used by setup is
corrupt or missing:
Value 0 on the line in section [ SourceDisksFile ]
with key "sp4.cab."
Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3.
Maybe i should try and get another copy of windows...can anyone confirm this as the only solution?
The following value in the .SIG file used by setup is
corrupt or missing:
Value 0 on the line in section [ SourceDisksFile ]
with key "sp4.cab."
Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3.
Maybe i should try and get another copy of windows...can anyone confirm this as the only solution?
It does sound like a damage CD. I would try to install with a different install CD.