Windows XP instllation SIF file missing

[teejay]

Hello All,

Since my PIII 1GHz system came with Win ME and FAT32, I was using same so far but after frustrating repeated crashing and weird behaviours of Me, I was offered a trial version of Windows XP professional and asked for format hard disk to NTFS.

So I got those set up disks from Microsoft website and booted computer using those ones (for some reason, it didn't boot from CD, though BIOS was changed)

I managed to format hard disk to NTFS (38GB) during same stuff and now when I reach to final place where installtion should start, it gives me an error that sif file is missing or corrupted, it can't continue set up, press F3 to quit.

Then I tried with another recovery cd for Dell machines (mine is Fugitsu-Siemens) and it didn't recognise that CD.

So I am totally frustrated with this now and I will be really really really grateful to anyone who can show me way out, either to revert back to FAT32 and frustrating Me (as least it was working) or continue with this style of installtion.

Many Many thanks

[Guest]

One way to go would be:

Reload ME. (format the drive to FAT32).
While in ME, put in the XP CD and do an upgrade to XP. The CD they sent may be an "Upgrade" version which is likely non-bootable.

If you have data on the drive and you do not want to reformat it you will need Partition Magic to convert the NTFS drive to FAT32.

Good luck.

[Guest]

BOOT DISC FOR XP ORIG, XP SP 1 AND XP 2 ARE DIFERENT, CHECK YOUR XP VERSION AND GET THE RIGHT DISKS FROM MSOFT, IN OHERWISE YOU WILL GET "SIF MISSING"( BEEN TROUHT)
STAN