SP3 with SOTEC laptop

[Guest Robbabob]

I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC

laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a

backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my face

now. My computer is about 6 years old.

 

Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the

\windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to

attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original

Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want to

perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit the

bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

 

Thanks in advance for the replys.

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: SP3 with SOTEC laptop

 

How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

 

WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation

http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

 

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for

Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and

e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows

XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

Robbabob wrote:

> I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC

> laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a

> backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my

> face

> now. My computer is about 6 years old.

>

> Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the

> \windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to

> attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original

> Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want

> to

> perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit

> the

> bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

>

> Thanks in advance for the replys.

[Guest Stephen Harris]

Re: SP3 with SOTEC laptop

 

Robbabob wrote:

> I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC

> laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a

> backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my face

> now. My computer is about 6 years old.

>

> Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the

> \windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to

> attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original

> Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want to

> perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit the

> bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

>

> Thanks in advance for the replys.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

 

Try booting into Windows Safe Mode by tapping F8 repeatedly.

You may be able to load Windows and then choose to remove

SP3 from Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs. That will revert

to I assume SP2. Then you can read the install instructions and

make a backup before trying to update to SP3 again (which is not

all that criticial of an update if you kept current with SP2).

If the F8 Safe Mode doesn't work you will need some type of

Rescue cd that will let you go to the C:\ drive and manually

uninstall SP3, using spuninst.

[Guest robbabob]

Re: SP3 with SOTEC laptop

 

Thank you for the replys. I've been away from my computer and will be able

to try these on Wednesday.

 

"Stephen Harris" wrote:

> Robbabob wrote:

> > I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC

> > laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a

> > backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my face

> > now. My computer is about 6 years old.

> >

> > Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the

> > \windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to

> > attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original

> > Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want to

> > perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit the

> > bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for the replys.

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

>

> Try booting into Windows Safe Mode by tapping F8 repeatedly.

> You may be able to load Windows and then choose to remove

> SP3 from Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs. That will revert

> to I assume SP2. Then you can read the install instructions and

> make a backup before trying to update to SP3 again (which is not

> all that criticial of an update if you kept current with SP2).

> If the F8 Safe Mode doesn't work you will need some type of

> Rescue cd that will let you go to the C:\ drive and manually

> uninstall SP3, using spuninst.

>

[Guest robbabob]

Re: SP3 with SOTEC laptop

 

The highest level of confidence I had with saving my system was to follow a

post that says to get a copy of the file in question back where it belongs.

In this case, a friend had a "Live CD" to boot my computer up with and this

had bioinfo.inf in the 386 directory. A simple copy of that file into the

Windows Inf directory allowed my computer to start windows.

 

That's the nutshell of the fix. Other Inf files may need to be put back

into the directory for certain programs to work, but at least I now have

access to my data.

 

Thanks again,

Robb

 

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> How to troubleshoot an unsuccessful installation of WinXP SP3

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950718

>

> WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation

> http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2008/05/08/windows-xp-sp3-read-all-prerequisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx

>

> Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for

> Windows XP, but only for Service Pack 3 (SP3), until 14 Apr-09. Chat and

> e-mail support is available only in the United States and Canada. Go to

> http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=1173 | select "Windows

> XP" then select "Windows XP Service Pack 3"

> --

> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

>

> Robbabob wrote:

> > I used to think I was computer literate until my SP3 update on my SOTEC

> > laptop presented a problem. Of course, I didn't think to ever create a

> > backup of my files, I've only created restore points... nice egg on my

> > face

> > now. My computer is about 6 years old.

> >

> > Upon restart after installation of XP SP3, the screen says that the

> > \windows\inf\biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt. The screen also says to

> > attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original

> > Setup CD-ROM, but my computer only came with Recovery CD's. I don't want

> > to

> > perform a Recovery until I know there are no other options. I can edit

> > the

> > bios and even save it, but that doesn't change the error at all.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for the replys.

>

>