when i try to run i386 i get this message; setup cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is newer than the version on the cd

That would be because the i386 folder is only service pack 1a and you have service pack 2 installed.

You'll need to make a new i386 folder with service pack 2 slipstreamed. To do this you'll first need to download the full service pack 2 from Microsoft's website - see links below. I'd actuall recommend updating your pc to service pack 3 then making a slipstreamed i386 folder with service pack 3.

Service Pack 3
Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers

After you've downloaded SP3 install it onto your pc and make a note of where the downloaded file is. Then download nlite from the link below.

nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation

Go into Windows explorer and change the name of the i386 folder to i386old. Make a copy of the i386old folder and make sure it's named i386.

Open nlite. Click Next.
Browse to the i386 folder > click OK > click Next > click Next
Click Service Pack in the integrate section > click Next
Click Select and browse to where you saved SP3 when you downloaded it.
Click Open - it will start slipstreaming sp3 in.
You will get a message saying Integrated install has completed successfully.
Click OK > click Next > click Finish.

Now try running the above step to do the repair from the i386 folder. You shouldn't get the error message anymore.

when i try to go to the microsoft web site iget a error message ; you are not connected to the internet; the website is encountering problems; there may be a typing error in the address; i am connected to the internet. i have not been able to get on the microsoft site since we started working with the pc

diire i still have not been able to download the files from microsoft due to the error message

Sorry bmorrisey - I haven't had a chance to get online properly.

Please go into Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
Tick the box up the top that say Show Updates.

Scroll down to Windows Service Pack 2 > click Remove.

After it has been removed try running the i386.

Before you try the above - if you have Internet Explorer 7 or 8 please try the following:

Click Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > select the Advanced tab.
Click Reset to reset back to default. If you have favourites you want to keep you will need to back them up before you do following if you have Internet Explorer 7. To do this - open Internet Explorer.
Click File > Import and Export > select Export to a file > click Next
Tick Favourites > click Next > click Next > click Export

If you still can't access the Microsoft link above - then try uninstalling SP2 and doing the repair again.

diire reset the default setting and it did not help the only difference i see in the pc is now opening internet explorer i get the message internet exployer cannot open this page.Going to add or remove programs and then to windows service pack 2 when i click on it there isn't a remove tab. I went to run and typed in the line you gave me for i386 and a popup says windows cannot find i386, if a go to my computer i find i386 folder and when i open it i get list of folders. I don't know if this has any thing to do with bringing up the microsoft website but when we try to open some web pages we get a activex control popup and on some a message that we must have java installed. I see on add and remove programs i have the following;adobe flash player 10 activex; java2 rumtime environment; java web start; java [tm]6 update13. again i don't know if this means anything but i though i would mention it. Thanks for the help i be waiting on your reply.

If you can't uninstall

Once you find it double click it and it should start the repair. Do you have another pc that you can download service pack 2 or 3 to, then put it on a cd or usb stick?

Then you could follow the instructions in post #72.

Otherwise you can try uninstalling Service Pack by doing the following from Microsofts website:
Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder

1. Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuni nst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. When the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP2.

If you have any important files you want to keep then back them up. If the above doesn't work you will need to use your recovery discs which will wipe your computer back to factory settings and you will lose all your files, software, etc you have installed.