Crash, boot error message

Here is the error message which pops up during boot up;

(INF file txtsetup.sif is corrupt or missing, status 14)

This is on a Sony Viao PK 33, windows xp,

Turn on computer, starts to boot, windows screen comes on then goes blank and error message pops up.

HELP!

New problem? Any new hardware/software?

Can you get into Safe Mode? If so run System Restore.

If not what XP disks do you have from Sony? Or is there a Recovery partition?

If so can you access it?

jephree,
sorry to have not got back with you on my problem, but was out of country and since my computer crashed had no way to get back with you. my son posted for me and did not know any of answers to your questions so just didn't answer back. i am back home now, and on a old computer, so here goes. i have application recovery cd's, driver recovery cd's, and system recovery cd's. the system recovery cd's will fix the problem i think but that will reformat the c drive and i would lose all data, which i don't want to do. i have not added any new programs or anything, just shut it down one night like always, next morning would not boot up, gave error message like posted. i am using a older sony laptop with xp so don't know if any way to network to recover data and then just use system recovery cd's. any idea's will be appreciated so that i can get back up an running without getting a new one with vista.

Thanks, stan

Unfortunately my searches bring up little hope for that error short of a reinstall.

See if you have a Repair (or non-destructive) Install option on that Sony System Recovery CD.

If so this option should retain your data; settings; and programs.

You should be able to boot the CD and review all the options and just cancel out if none are satisfactory.

In a worse case scenario you can use a laptop/IDE adapter to slave this drive on a desktop in order to retrieve data. Such an operation is seen in this article:

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com...1-5160538.html

Just to note in searching that particular error it is often noted as a symptom of a failing (dying) hard drive.

jephree,

i got a USB HDD Enclosure and put my HD in to retrieve data, but I am not sure which pins to jump to make it a slave HD. the HD is a Hitachi Travelstar, 4200rpm, 60 gig. it shows a diagram on HD, but does not show slave. it shows devise 1 and cable sel. my second computer seems to see the usb connection, but nothing shows as external drive. only drive c,d, and cd drive show up. i must be doing something wrong so need some more help.

thanks, stan

If you use a USB enclosure then just leave the jumper as it was.

Are you sure that the enclosure and the drive connection are correct? The case had the proper connection adapter for the drive?

Are you booting with the USB connected or "hot plugging". Try both and see if there is a difference.

Just to verify: c & d are both partitions on the main computer?

Also is the enclosure USB 2? If so is the computer USB 2 as well?