[blueroly]

Hi,

I recently installed SP3 which worked fine until after a reboot when I received the following message:

Window could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt C:\Windows\infbiosinfo.inf

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original setup CD-ROM.

I inserted the original CD and choose the repair option but I was prompted for the admin password. I don't know what this password is. Anyone...?

The other option was to reinstall Windows but I was warned that I "may" lose the "My Documents" folder. This is a risk I can't take. The reason I installed SP3 in the first instance was to backup "My Documents" onto a new external hard drive which apparently wouldn't work without SP3.

Any advice would be most appreciated,

Regards

Roly

 

[justpassingby]

You mean c:\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf ?

In the recovery console, when you're prompted for the password, leave the password field blank and press enter.

From the c:\windows\ prompt type
copy d:\i386\biosinfo.inf c:\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf
Replace d by the letter that corresponds to your CD-rom drive, to find that letter type dir d:, dir e: and so on until it lists the content of the XP CD. If you get an error message report here.

You should always disconnect from the internet and disable your antivirus or security suite before you install SP3, else a system file protection feature may revert some of the newly updated files to their older state.

“Biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt” error message when you upgrade to Windows XP
http://www.techsupportforum.com/f10...lling-windows-xp-service-pack-3-a-247434.html

If the above solution didn't work then give us more informations : brand and model of the computer, service pack that was installed on the computer before you tried to install SP3, service pack that's included on the XP CD.

 

[Bloodta]

You mean c:\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf ?

In the recovery console, when you're prompted for the password, leave the password field blank and press enter.

From the c:\windows\ prompt type
copy d:\i386\biosinfo.inf c:\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf
Replace d by the letter that corresponds to your CD-rom drive, to find that letter type dir d:, dir e: and so on until it lists the content of the XP CD. If you get an error message report here.

You should always disconnect from the internet and disable your antivirus or security suite before you install SP3, else a system file protection feature may revert some of the newly updated files to their older state.

“Biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt” error message when you upgrade to Windows XP
http://www.techsupportforum.com/f10...lling-windows-xp-service-pack-3-a-247434.html

If the above solution didn't work then give us more informations : brand and model of the computer, service pack that was installed on the computer before you tried to install SP3, service pack that's included on the XP CD.

I'm having a similar problem with my Laptop, same biosinfo.inf message and all. My problem is, I have a "Reinstallation CD" not necessarily a recovery CD, and I can't get to the Recovery Console. The blue Windows Setup screen shows up, loads all the crap, then I get a blue screen that says Windows is shutting down to protect the computer or something or other. What do I do? I've tried all the "Fixes" and none work. I can't boot in safe mode, I get the same error.

 

[justpassingby]

Hi Bloodta and welcome to TSF !

What's the brand and model of your laptop ? Most laptops come with an OEM installation of Windows, you pay less than for a retail version but your repair options are very limited. You could try to access the recovery console and replace the file using the above command and a retail XP CD (it'll have to be the same version and service pack as what's installed on your computer) but I can't forecast the result.

While in the recovery console (again you'll need a retail XP CD) please also type chkdsk c: /R to check the hard drive for errors.

A solution that will work is to take the hard drive out of the laptop (unscrew the drive's bay at the bottom, I'll provide you a service manual if I can find one as soon as I know the brand and model of your computer), hook it in a 2.5'' external USB enclosure (20$ on newegg, pick the right internal interface depending on the drive : SATA or IDE) and backup all your data on another computer. If you get an access denied error message while trying to access your documents from another computer check this article. Once that's done boot on the recovery CD to reinstall from scratch.

 

[TRIARIISPQR]

Dear friends I have a similar problem, when I have format my Pc, and whe windows install must run, I have seen the same thing: \windows\inf\biosinfo.inf (Window could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt C:\Windows\infbiosinfo.inf). I have tried to enter and copy in recovery console like said justpassingby, but I have the same problem and I don't know what can I do,

I have a Windows XP SP1 (original and bought in CD), Pentium 4 2.00 Ghz, 256 Ram, 40 Gb HD Seagate 5400 rpm. Before format my PC I had installed Service Pack 2 and I'm not sure Sercive Pack 3.
Please I need help because I can't install windows.
Thank's you very much.

 

[ThorXP]

Hello Everybody, I was wondering if separate threads could be made for all of these similar problems so we could keep track of who and what fixes apply so nobody gets confused.


Thank you all.