Shut out of XP Home

[Inquiring3]

Hello...I recently discovered what appeared to be corrupt files on my desktop's XP Home. After attemtping to re-install XP Home from the factory CD, the install halted and displayed toe following message:

WARNING: Setup failed to remove product catalog IEECEP.CAT.

WARNING: Setup failed to remove the product catalog SP1.CAT.

ERROR: The signature for Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade is invalid. The error code is FFFFDDA. The system cannot find message for text for message number oxffffdda in the message file for syssetup.dll.

FATAL ERROR: Setup falied to install the product catalogs. This is a fatal error.

I cancelled out of this message screen and my desktop rebooted and then attempted to continue the XP install and again displayed the messages above. I cannot return to my WIN XP OS and cannot seem to get out of this error screen.

Ive searced the MS Knowledge Base but there are no direct references to this problem.

At this point, how can I just return to my original OS where at least I can recover data?
Is there a solution to this recurring problem that halts the install?

Thank you.

 

[AkumaBao]

I assume you are trying to keep your old files, and chose to install over your current OS. You might start the install over again, and choose a different root path. Like C:\WindowsXP. Maybe then it will ignore the files it can't delete. Otherwise, you'll have to find another way to backup your stuff, like use a 2nd hard drive to install on, and then move the files over.

 

[Inquiring3]

Thank you kindly....I have attempted to re-enter my WIN XP by using the (6) boot disks....now a new error message appears which states that the following is missing or corrupt:

C:\windows\system32\config\system. Is there any way to re-install this file? The recovery mode on has not worked to repair this file. lastly, if I cannot re-enter my WIN XP OS, how can I use DOS commands to copy files from the MY DOCUMENTS folder onto 1.44 mb floppies? I cannot get the "C" drive cursor to appear when I boot from a WIN 98 boot disk.

Thank you.