When I log into my computer I get the error message: Windows XP cannot start because file System32\Drivers\pci.sys is missing or corrupted. The following was posted as a fix for the problem back in 2005. Will this work for SP2 or SP3? "When you put in the XP CD and it boots off the cd, the XP setup files copy across, and at the 1st screen, you should be able to choose Repair. Press r, and this will start the Recovery Console. When you are in the recovery console, choose your Windows installation (You will see what I mean when you follow the instructions.) When you are sitting at the command line(C:\>Windows), access your CDROM drive by typing the letter followed by a colon, eg "D:". It may also be E:, F:, or G:. When you have changed to the CDROM drive, type the following: cd\ <enter> cd\i386 <enter> expand pci.sy_ C:\pci.sys <enter> C: <enter> cd\ <enter> copy pci.sys C:\windows\system32\drivers <enter> If it asks to replace, confirm. Then restart your computer. If it finds more files missing, you may need to replace them using the same procedure." I am sooooo not a technilogical person, some of the fixes talked about removing RAM sticks and PCI components, but I'm sorry I don't even know what they are or where to locate them. I could really use some step-by-step non-techy help...PLEASE!!! I'm at the recovery console and the last line says C:\>, not C:\>Windows as in the instructions above. Do I just type Windows at the prompt and hit enter, then follow his instructions? Thanks so much!

It doesn't matter what the prompt says to begin with since you will be switching to the CD rom drive letter anyhow. Just follow the steps you quoted, and you should be fine. -Ryan Adams Free Computer Tips and more:http://RyanTAdams.com Paid Tech Support: Black Diamond

And the same repair will work with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3, not just Service Pack 1?

"And the same repair will work with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3, not just Service Pack 1?" I don't think there is any way of knowing that for sure. It's possible that SP2 or SP3 might have updated PCI.sys, but it's certainly worth a try. I don't see how you could be any worse off than you are now. Note that there is a space between the _ and C in pci.sy_ C:\pci.sys.