"Copy Error" when repairing Windows XP

I just tried to repair my Windows XP Professional (SP2) installation but
I had at least 10 "Copy Error" messages complaining about some files
located under H:\i368 (where H: is the CD-ROM driver letter)

The CD is guaranteed, so what's up?

Anyway, I skipped these files, and the installation continued.
What are the side effects of this?

 

The side effects depend on which files you skipped. You might get runtime errors or programs not running because they are missing files.

Try cleaning the disk and running repair again.

 

Cleaning the CD as suggested is a good idea; while you're at it, look for scratches. Maybe running a lens cleaner in the drive will help too.... Sometimes, these read errors are the side effect of flakey memory. Download and run a RAM diagnostc from the Memory section here at MajorGeeks. I personally prefer the bootable ones; they're more thourough IMHO....

hd2k

 

I'm sure of the disk, and I tried 3 CDs, so this is not the case.

 

What is the exact message it gives and at how many minutes remaining?

 

You may be right, I'll try it. But I'm not optimistic because I believe in the "mysterious" and "unstable" behavior of computer hardware. I always find myself in strange scenarios where you can't apply what you've learned and what's written in books and documentation.

 

I think there were more than 30 minutes remaining, and the message is not that short but it contains the name of the file, it demands inserting the cd labeled: "Windows XP Professional SP2" into the CD-ROM drive, and it contains a text box and a browse button to search for the file in alternate locations.

 

Here is something thats kind of outside the box thinking.

Restart your install, at 39 minutes remaining, do this:

Press Shift-F10.

At the comamnd console, type this:

Xcopy X:\i386 c:\i386 /e

Let it copy the files over. X:\ is the letter of your optical drive. the folder created on the C: drive will be called i386, so if you already have one, change the name. The /e includes subfolders.

Now...assuming it copies over fine, when you get an error needing a file, you will instead point Setup to the directory where you copied the files (assuming c:\i386, unelss you change the name). Setup should continue fine.

 

Highly appreciated!
I have to admit, this is a good idea (whether it works or not)
I'll give it a shot. Thanks!