I hate computers - Help

[Czas na Zywiec]

If it's not one thing, it's another.

I was trying to install "The Sims," but I keep getting some error message and I don't understand why. I already installed the game from the same exact CD on my computer months ago, but uninstalled. So now I'm trying to install it again, but I can't. Can anyone help before I throw this thing out the window?!

[Chelsea]

Operating System?

[Czas na Zywiec]

Sorry.

Windows XP, 21.3 GB of free space and 37.2 GB total space.

[Chelsea]

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;324767

[Czas na Zywiec]

A couple of questions.

4. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:


expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\config.nt_ c:\windows\system32\config.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\autoexec.nt_ c:\windows\system32\autoexec.nt
expand CD-ROM Drive Letter:\i386\command.co_ c:\windows\system32\command.com
exit

After I type in those commands seperately in that black box, it says Destination is not a directory: c:\windows\system32\config.nt
Destination is not a directory: c:\windows\system32\autoexec.net
Destination is not a directory: c:\windows\system32\command.com

That means it's not going through, right?

So okay, I leave those alone and follow the next set of instructions to get this fixed another way. Well, I get up to the step 6. Note: The Command.com file is not edited or created in this in the following process. Because of this, you may have to expand it from your Windows XP CD-ROM.

I don't know where to go to find that.

Than later on, it says 15. Right-click the %SYSTEMROOT%\System32 folder, and then click Paste.

The only folder I have close to that is a system32 folder. Is that the same thing?


Sorry to be asking so many questions, but I'm so dumb when it comes to computers. Maybe there's a number where I can call so someone can guide me on this if I can't resolve this?

[Chelsea]

That's it...
---
You're making sure to type in
:The correct Drive Letters (Your computer uses C for it's primary drive, correct?) (Make sure your CD Drive letter is correct)

Make sure you include a space after the _ in each command.
---
The Systemroot/system32 thing just means "Wherever System32 is on your computer". For most, that means "C:\Windows\System32".

[Czas na Zywiec]

Months later...

I finally got access to a Windows XP CD, did all the steps I needed to do, and I don't get that pop-up box now. However, I get a new one. I think I'm going to rip my hair out.

Sometimes I wish computers were never invented. Life would be so much easier without them.

Anyway, here's what I'm getting now.

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by Czas na Zywiec

Months later...

I finally got access to a Windows XP CD, did all the steps I needed to do, and I don't get that pop-up box now. However, I get a new one. I think I'm going to rip my hair out.

Sometimes I wish computers were never invented. Life would be so much easier without them.

Anyway, here's what I'm getting now.

this seems like it is happening because the installer for this game is not finding the files where it is expecting to see them, are you logged onto an account with administrative privledges when you are trying to run the install? (you can check by opening the User Accounts applet in the Control Panel and clicking on the account you are logging in with to see or change the properties)

Basically you need to find out if the file is where it is supposed to be, but windows just isn't seeing it, or if you need to replace the file. The DOSX.EXE program is normally in the Windows\System32 directory which should be in the PATH already.

Go to the Run command on the Start menu and type in cmd to open a Command Prompt window and type PATH at the prompt. See if C:\Windows\System32 (or C:\WINNT\System32) with your system drive letter in place of C: is in the path that is returned. If so, they you should not have to add it.

To add it to the path: Open the Control Panel and open the System applet. Pick the Advanced tab and click on the Environment Variables button. There should be system variables there and one will be called Path. Edit that variable to add the full directory you need to the path. Directories in the path are separated from each other by a semicolon. Close everything down and the next time you restart the new PATH should take effect.

If the Path is already correct, then the file may be missing, open the Search tool on the Start Menu, click on All FIles and folders and search for "DOSX" - if it isn't in the system32 folder, you will need to extract a copy.

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally Posted by robyrob

this seems like it is happening because the installer for this game is not finding the files where it is expecting to see them, are you logged onto an account with administrative privledges when you are trying to run the install? (you can check by opening the User Accounts applet in the Control Panel and clicking on the account you are logging in with to see or change the properties)

Basically you need to find out if the file is where it is supposed to be, but windows just isn't seeing it, or if you need to replace the file. The DOSX.EXE program is normally in the Windows\System32 directory which should be in the PATH already.

Go to the Run command on the Start menu and type in cmd to open a Command Prompt window and type PATH at the prompt. See if C:\Windows\System32 (or C:\WINNT\System32) with your system drive letter in place of C: is in the path that is returned. If so, they you should not have to add it.

To add it to the path: Open the Control Panel and open the System applet. Pick the Advanced tab and click on the Environment Variables button. There should be system variables there and one will be called Path. Edit that variable to add the full directory you need to the path. Directories in the path are separated from each other by a semicolon. Close everything down and the next time you restart the new PATH should take effect.

If the Path is already correct, then the file may be missing, open the Search tool on the Start Menu, click on All FIles and folders and search for "DOSX" - if it isn't in the system32 folder, you will need to extract a copy.

I'm logged in under my own name...the only name on this computer. There's no other users.

I was a little lost by the command prompt window, so let me post it here. I don't know a lot about computers, so I don't know if I'm doing this right or not. (The space is where my last name is, I just blacked it out.) I'm also confused on the instructions on how to add the path, if I need to that is, so let me post everything I have and maybe you can help me through it?

I also went down and searched for DOSX and it was in the system32 folder.

[robyrob]

well, judging by the two screenshots, the path is correct and the DOSX.exe file is where it should be - so either there is STILL a problem with the autoexec.nt file, or something is preventing it from being accessed.

i would suggest a few things to start with:

download this file and save it to your desktop or to another location where you can find it. Double click on the file to run it once it's downloaded - this file basically restores the system files from the repair folder on your system.

go to the Windows update site and make sure you have any critical updates installed, including Service Pack 2

look in the Add/Remove programs in the Control Panel for something called Winad Client - if it is there uninstall it

make sure your Antivirus software is up-to-date and run a complete scan

[Penny Lane]

I am not very computer literate but are you out of disk space maybe?