MISSING SERVICE PACK FILE ON XP PRO INSTALLATION

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Level 1

8 points

MISSING SERVICE PACK FILE ON XP PRO INSTALLATION

I GET BOOT CAMP TO WORK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE INSTALL OF WINDOWS XP PRO WITH SERVICE PACK2 BUT WHEN IT BOOTS UP AN ERROR "THE FILE 'ASMS' ON WINDOWS XP PRO SERVICE PACK 2 CD IS NEEDED. TYPE THE PATH WHERE FILE IS LOCATED THEN CLICK OK" BELOW THAT IS LISTED "GLOBALROOT\DEVICE\CDROM\I386" WHEN I CLICK IT NOTHING HAPPENS AND IF I CANCEL IT JUST RE-STARTS AND DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A NEW PREVIOUSLY UN-OPENED SOFTWARE FROM MICROSOFT LABELED AS CONTAINING SERVICE PACK2. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

MAC AIR, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 3, 2011 5:29 PM

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Answer 1

ROYINSEATTLE Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 4, 2011 6:32 PM in response to ROYINSEATTLE

The one suggestion I got was helpful. (notice no more yelling... sorry about that) Unfortunately that wasnt the problem so it did not work for me. I found a posting from July 12, 2010 with someone who had the same problem I had. The solution has to do with the fact Windows doesnt see the cdrom at some point to finish. By changing the path in the combo box to d:\i386 he was able to get done. In my case it was e:\i386. It has to be repeated several times in the process. I also copied the install disk to a flash drive and was able to load the missing files not available in "browse" from the flash drive. It worked better yet. As I said it takes a while but does work. Another way that would likely work even better would be to load the whole os off of a flash drive. There are instructions for this available at pcsplace.com. It looks to take several steps but would end the frustration of working with the cdrom. I wanted to share this because it was very difficult coming up with an answer. Hope it helps someone else.

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Answer 2

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Feb 4, 2011 5:17 AM in response to ROYINSEATTLE

Hi,

first suggestion: All Uppercase letters are considered as shouting and therefor as rude !

Check with the label of the XP CD or, if not clearly stated, look in the root directory of the XP CD for a file named 'winip51.sp2'.
If not there, than your XP CD is a pre-SP2 one.

You can make yourself a XP SP2 (or SP3) install CD out of the one you have when following these instructions http://www.winsupersite.com/xp/sp3_slipstream.asp

But you have to do it on a Windows PC.

Regards

Stefan

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Answer 3

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Feb 5, 2011 11:03 PM in response to ROYINSEATTLE

These different drive letters shouldn't happen usually.

Did you had any kind of external device (external harddisk, USB-Stick) connected to your Mac during the WIndows installation ?

WIndows can be very picky with the assignment of drive letters.

But glad to hear that all went well for you.

Stefan

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Answer 4

ROYINSEATTLE Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2011 4:02 PM in response to Fortuny

Yes, a usb flash memory plugged in. The drive was Apple Superdrive which is also a usb external on my Mac Air. Thanks for your interest

Roy

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Answer 5

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Feb 11, 2011 4:40 AM in response to ROYINSEATTLE

Hi Roy,

the USB-stick was most likely the cause of trouble as it has taken the drive letter d: which leads to the Superdrive having the e: drive letter.

To avoid such nuisance in the future it is best to assign a fixed drive letter to the disc drive using the Computer Management Console.

Have Fun and thanks for reporting back

Stefan

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