Frequently Asked Questions
      Show Part Numbers

Q: How do I copy missing or corrupt files from the i386 directory?

A: There are four different methods for copying missing or corrupt files from the i386 directory.

Before copying files from the I386 directory, you need access to one of the following: C:\Windows\I386, the Recovery Partition, the Operating System CD, or the System Recovery CD\DVD. The method that you are using determines the location of where the file is being copied from. You also need the file name to be copied and the respective file extension. Finally, you need the destination of where file is to be copied.

Using the System Configuration Utility

  1. From the Start menu, click Run. In the Run dialog box, type: MSConfig and then press the ENTER key.

  2. In the System Configuration Utility window, on the General tab, click the Expand File button located in the lower right corner.

  3. In the Expand One File from Installation Source dialog box, in the File to restore: box, click Browse File.

  4. In the Open dialog box, in the Look in: drop-down box, click the arrow and select the C:\Windows\I386 folder.

    Note: If the files do not appear, click Open, which should then make the files appear.

  5. Locate and select the filename.

  6. Click Open.

  7. In the Restore from: box, click the dropdown arrow and then select C:\Windows.

  8. In the Save file in: box, click Browse to.

  9. In the Browse for Folder dialog box, select the folder where the file is to be expanded, and then click OK.

  10. In the Expand One File from Installation Source dialog box, click Expand.

  11. In the System Configuration Utility window, click OK.

  12. If a prompt to restart the computer appears, click Restart.

From a Command Prompt Within the Operating System

  1. From the Start menu, click Run. In the Run dialog box, type: CMD, and then press the ENTER key.

  2. At the command prompt, type: cd\, and then press ENTER.

  3. At the C:\ prompt, type: cd Windows\I386, and then press ENTER.

  4. At the C:\Windows\I386, type: dir filename.* and then press ENTER.

  5. Verify if the file name has an underscore ( _ ) in the extension. Example: appwiz.cp_. If the file has an underscore, it has to be expanded. If it does not have an underscore, the file can be copied without expansion.

  6. If file has an underscore, expand the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Expand filename.**_   C:\Destination. Example: Expand appwiz.cp_   C:\Windows\System32

  7. If file does not have an underscore, copy the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Copy filename C:\Destination. Example: Copy atmadm   C:\Windows\System32

  8. At the command prompt, type: Exit.

  9. Restart the computer.

Using the Recovery Partition

  1. Boot into Gateway System Recovery - Press F11 to Start Recovery.

  2. On the System Recovery Menu screen, press the ALT+D keys.

  3. At the command prompt, type: D: and then press ENTER.

  4. At the D:\ prompt, type: CD Windows\i386 and then press ENTER.

  5. At the C:\Windows\I386 prompt, type: dir filename.* and then press ENTER.

  6. Verify if the file name has an underscore ( _ ) in the extension. Example: appwiz.cp_. If the file has an underscore, it has to be expanded. If it does not have an underscore, the file can be copied without expansion.

  7. If file has an underscore, expand the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Expand filename.**_   C:\Destination. Example: Expand appwiz.cp_   C:\Windows\System32

  8. If file does not have an underscore, copy the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Copy filename   C:\Destination. Example: Copy atmadm   C:\Windows\System32

  9. At the command prompt, type: Exit.

  10. Once back at the menu, click Quit. The computer restarts.

Using the Gateway Operating System Recovery CD\DVD

  1. Insert the Operating System Recovery CD\DVD into the optical drive.

  2. Restart the computer.

  3. As the computer starts, press the R key to boot into the Gateway System Recovery and display options.

  4. On the Gateway System Recovery Options screen, press the R key again for Standard Gateway System Recovery options.

  5. At the System Recovery Menu screen, press the ALT+D keys.

  6. At the command prompt, type: X: (where X is the optical drive letter) and then press ENTER.

    Note: Booting to the System Recovery partition reverses the drive letters. The primary drive is designated "D".

  7. At the optical drive letter prompt, type: cd I386, and then press ENTER.

  8. Verify if the file name has an underscore ( _ ) in the extension. Example: appwiz.cp_. If the file has an underscore, it has to be expanded. If it does not have an underscore, the file can be copied without expansion.

  9. If file has an underscore, expand the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Expand filename.**_   C:\Destination. Example: Expand appwiz.cp_   C:\Windows\System32

  10. If file does not have an underscore, copy the file to the destination. At the command prompt, type: Copy filename   C:\Destination. Example: Copy atmadm   C:\Windows\System32

  11. At the command prompt, type: Exit.

    Note: Do not remove the CD from the optical drive yet.

  12. Once back at the menu, click Quit. Remove the CD. The computer restarts.