PJCNET

DONT PANIC - This article includes a relatively easy fix for this problem without having to reinstall Windows - Please read on…

I was running Window XP Professional with Service Pack 2 and I recently upgraded using auto update to Service Pack 3. After restarting I got "Biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt". I tried going into Safe Mode and every option available, but I still kept getting the same error without being able to get into anything to attempt to fix the problem. Pressing the "R" key as advised on screen with the windows CD inserted just reset the PC, allowing the machine to boot from the CD drive.

Microsoft are aware of a similar problem when you upgrade XP and state that this can occur if there is 3rd party software installed like Norton Anti Virus 2003, I had the latest Norton installed as part of BT Total Broadband. Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829784/en-us for the full Microsoft article. The problem is Microsoft only tell you what causes the problem and if you already have the error message after installing XP Service Pack 3, their instructions fail to fix it. There's nothing specific at the time of writing about this error message occurring after installing XP Service Pack 3 either. Since XP Service Pack 3 has recently been released and is often installed automatically using Windows Update, it's likely many people will be experiencing this problem, including lots of BT customers in the UK. It's a nasty shock to suddenly find your PC is left totally useless just after installing Microsoft approved updates, especially if you don't know too much about PCs.

RESOLUTION

If you can get access to another PC that's connected to the Internet, then you can fix this problem relatively easily. If you can read this, then unless this is a printout or the page is saved off-line, you must have access to the Internet, so your relatively lucky. Without another PC you will need a Windows XP CD to fix the problem, you will then have to attempt a repair (I haven't tried this) or failing that, reinstall XP from scratch. Unless you have no other option - I don't recommend recovering with your Windows CD as you could run into all kind of problems, it's time consuming and at worst you could lose your precious files.

In short, to fix this problem, use NFTS4DOS to copy the missing file over from another machine, if your unsure how to do this, here's some more detailed instructions.

You will need:

1. Someone who is reasonably computer literate (you don't need to be an expert). If you're a total beginner, please try to get a friend or college to assist you and show them this document.

2. Access to a working PC that's connected to the Internet, preferably with XP installed.

3. 2 blank floppy disks or blank CDs if either machine doesn't have a floppy drive. If using CDs, the working PC must have a CD burner and software.

Step 1

NTFS4DOS is totally free and allows you to create a boot disk which takes you to a command prompt with access to the C: drive on the problem PC. This application can be a life saver if you can't boot Windows at all and can be used with any NTFS operating system, including Windows 2000, XP and Vista. 

Goto the working PC and download NTFS4DOS, Click on the link below

http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm

Towards the bottom of the page, click on Self-extracting Bootable Floppy Disk Creator for NTFS Reader to download a small application to create a bootable floppy disk. If you don't have a floppy disk or even a floppy disk drive, then you can download a CD image by clicking Bootable ISO Image for NTFS Reader. You will then need to extract the file and use a CD Burner like Nero to burn the Image to CD.

Step 2

If possible, download Biosinfo.inf from the following location and copy it onto a 2nd Floppy Disk or burn it to CD. This file definitely works with XP Pro SP2 or SP3, I assume it also works with XP Home, but I haven't tested this.

Click Here to Download Biosinfo.inf (** NEW ** See below for alternative link) or if the working PC has Windows XP installed, you can copy it from the C:\windows\inf directory instead.

** NEW ** The above link to Biosinfo.inf reached it maximum usage allowance, if you can't download above, Click Here to Download Biosinfo.inf from alternative server.

Step 3

Goto the problem PC and boot to NTFS4DOS from either the floppy disk or the CD, it can take a couple of minutes to load. If the PC still attempts to load windows instead of the bootable floppy or CD, you may need to enter the BIOS and change the boot order priority to the Floppy Drive or CD first. Please refer to your user manual for changing BIOS settings as instructions vary depending on your version.

Step 4 

You should eventually get come to the NTFS 4 DOS Menu. You now need to copy the missing file across. You can copy the file using the GUI interface if you choose, but I prefer using the standard command prompt (C:), if you can't get to the C:, press CTRL & C.

Insert the floppy disk or CD with Biosinfo.inf on it and copy it to the c:\windows\inf directory.

Example 1) From the floppy type:

copy a:\biosinfo.inf c:\windows\inf

Example 2) If you haven't got a copy of biosinfo.inf or if it doesn't work:

If you've just upgraded to XP Service Pack 3, you can find a copy in the c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 directory. To copy this type:

copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\biosinfo.inf c:\windows\inf

Step 5

Reboot and test the problem machine and it should be okay. It takes a bit longer to load Windows the first time after upgrading to SP3 and a blue maintenance screen appears for a short time, this is normal. I had to reinstall Windows Media Player afterwards for some reason, but apart from that my PC has worked fine ever since.

 
GOOD LUCK!

 

Terms & Conditions Of Use

This document is freely distributable as its sole purpose is to help as many people as possible resolve the problem in question. Please keep this document intact and complete in it's original form. Article written and relevant on the 9th May 2008, I hope Microsoft will fully resolve this issue in the future making this document obsolete.

Disclaimer

PJCNET cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any computer systems while following the free instructions on this page, any changes made to your PC are entirely at your own risk. We have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible, but this cannot be guaranteed. I acknowledge that the Biosinfo.inf file download is a very small part of Windows XP which is copyrighted material. It is included with the sole purpose of helping existing end users recover a failed original copy of Windows XP and shouldn't be used for any other purpose. I don't believe that this file alone can be used to assist piracy or any other illegal activity, however I respect Microsoft Corporation and will remove the file immediately at their request.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 9th, 2008 at 12:05 am and is filed under Downloads, PC Tech Support. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.