I tried to install Windows SP2 and in the middle of the installation
it stopped and an error message came up.  It said that "Setup cannot
copy the file MSCONFIG.EXE".  Then it asks me to check the path or
enter in a new path for the file.  I don't know what to do!

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Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 18 Oct 2004 20:55 PDT

msconfig.exe is not a critic file, Windows can work perfectly without
it, it can be also replaced by other programs that work equal or
better than it. What I want to tell you is if you have the option of
ignore it, just do it.
If after ignoring that other file cannot be copied, then the problem
is probably in the CD or installation file, the files cannot be read
from the source (the CD or installation file) to be copied. Try with
another CD or installation file. When the installation wizard asks you
to check the path or
enter in a new path for the file it is asking you where is a proper
copy of the file to put it in your computer.
Please let me know how this comment works in order to continue helping you.

Regards.
livioflores-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 18 Oct 2004 20:56 PDT

Hi thebuzzgroup1,

Please read the answers posted at this Forum:
http://forum.tweakxp.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19089&PN=1

Question: 

"While trying to update with SP2, an error shows up and  says that it
cannot find msconfig, the update then cancel the updating and only
partially update my computer.  When I try to to run and type msconfig
it works.  Also, I tried to search for it, but with no luck.  I also
scanned  to see if there was any viruses, but could not find anything.
 Can anybody help me here."


Read the 2 pages... click to next page


Let me know if any of the suggestions work for you by posting a
clarification.  If you found success, I'll post in the answer box.



Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Clarification of Question by thebuzzgroup1-ga on 18 Oct 2004 22:21 PDT

This is the third time I have downloaded the SP2 file from Microsoft's
website.  I cannot get around the MSCONFIG.EXE problem.  I have
searched the hard drive near and far for it and cannot find it.  I hav
etried downloading the MSCONFIG file, saving it as a different name
(then renaming it back to MSCONFIG.EXE) but it either mysteriously
disapppears or I get a message saying that it cannot find the file I
am trying to rename.  I have even gone into the command prompt mode to
try to rename the file.  The error message the DOS command prompt
session gives me is "A duplicate file name exists or the file cannot
be found."  I seem to be having bad luck here. :(

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Request for Question Clarification by tlspiegel-ga on 18 Oct 2004 23:38 PDT

Hi thebuzzgroup1,

Thank you for your clarification.


Best regards,
tlspiegel

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 19 Oct 2004 07:54 PDT

Please try this:

In the directory that has the msconfig.exe file (or, at least SHOULD
have the file) type:

attrib -h -s -r msconfig.exe

Then, see if you can see it.

Please let me know if that works.

Legolas-ga

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Clarification of Question by thebuzzgroup1-ga on 19 Oct 2004 11:22 PDT

I cannot find the MSCONFIG.EXE file to begin with.  I tried typing in
"attrib -h -s -r msconfig.exe" in the root, system, system32
directories and it says the file is not there.  I can run the MSCONFIG
program from the Start/Run menu, but I can't locate the file itself. 
And SP2 will not install without being able to locate this file.  Any
further thoughts on a solution?  Thanks for your help!

---

Request for Question Clarification by livioflores-ga on 20 Oct 2004 05:52 PDT

To find the msconfig file do the following:
Display hidden files, file extensions and folders: 
Go to Start --> Run  --> Type 'control folders' (w/o quotes) and press
enter --> On the displayed box go to the View tab --> Check "Show
hidden files and folders" --> Uncheck "Hide protected Operating System
files" and "Hide file extensions..." --> Click Apply to all folders
button --> Accept.

Other way is showed at "How to Show System Files" page:
http://www.xtra.co.nz/help/0,,4155-1916458,00.html#5

Then use the search tool of Windows to find the msconfig file, and
take a note of the complete path, you can also copy it to its default
folder:
C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries

You can also download it from the Internet and copy it to its folder:
Msconfig ripped from WinXP:
http://downloads.thetechguide.com/msconfig.zip 

Hope this helps you.

msconfig.exe is a Microsoft program that is integrated into most
versions of Windows, incluging Windows XP.  It is used to edit the
boot processes and programs that occur when you turn on your computer.
In the path name, try entering c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 if
either of those do not work, then i would suggest downloading another
copy of the file.  You can get it here
http://www.perfectdrivers.com/local/msconfigxp/msconfig.exe all you
need to do is download it and save it in the c:/windows folder and
then enter that as the path if it asks you again.

Good Luck!

Goto start and then run. Or hold the windows key and press R . In the
run dialoge, paste this:

copy %systemroot%\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\msconfig.exe %systemroot%\mscfg.exe

And then hit enter. Hopefully it should say file copied.
Then try to install SP2 again.

I can't seem to download the file.  The message says:

Cannot copy file: cannot read from the source file or disk.

Seems as though Windows doesn't want me putting a file with this name
on my hard drive.  Any suggestions as to how to get around this?

Thanks!

I cannot find the MSCONFIG.EXE file to begin with.  I tried typing in
"attrib -h -s -r msconfig.exe" in the root, system, system32
directories and it says the file is not there.  I can run the MSCONFIG
program from the Start/Run menu, but I can't locate the file itself. 
And SP2 will not install without being able to locate this file.  Any
further thoughts on a solution?  Thanks for your help!

This may be casued by left-behind temporary files in your user temp
folder. Go into Documents and Setting/"Your Username"/local
settings/temp & try to delete ALL the files in this folder. NOTE: Make
sure that you have NO open programs when doing this (word, excel,
etc..)

Also, the reason you're not finding it in your system is probably
because Windows 200 & XP, by default, hides what it considers
"Critical system files", namely, everyhting, you really need to see.
Go into Windows Explorer, click Tools - folder Options. Goto the view
tab, in the list provided move "Hidden files & Folders" to "Show...".
Also, Uncheck "Hide protected OS files", then insist, when it warns
you that this is a bad thing to do. Then search again.

Lastly, there is a tool available from Microsoft called Windows
Installer Cleanup Tool, which can be used to remove errors related to
installation of programs that use the MSI framework.


Best of Luck,
Wiz