Microsoft KB Archive/829784

= “Biosinfo.inf is missing or corrupt” error message when you upgrade to Windows XP =

Article ID: 829784

Article Last Modified on 3/17/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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Important This article contains information that shows you how to help lower security settings or how to turn off security features on a computer. You can make these changes to work around a specific problem. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this workaround in your particular environment. If you implement this workaround, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system.



SYMPTOMS
When you upgrade your computer to Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive the following error message after the computer restarts for the second time during the Setup process:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt C:\Windows\inf\Biosinfo.inf



CAUSE
This behavior may occur if third-party software (for example, Norton Antivirus 2003) is installed on your computer before you start the Windows XP upgrade process.



RESOLUTION
Warning This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

Note An antivirus program is designed to help protect your computer from viruses. You must not download or open files from sources that you do not trust, visit Web sites that you do not trust, or open e-mail attachments when your antivirus program is disabled.

For additional information about computer viruses, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

129972Computer viruses: description, prevention, and recovery

To resolve this behavior, cancel the Windows XP Setup process, remove the third-party software from your computer, and then reinstall the third-party software after the upgrade process. To do so, follow these steps:
 * 1) Restart your computer, and then start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard.

On a computer that is configured for starting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when you see the Operating System Choices menu.
 * 1) When the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, select the Return to OS Choices Menu option, and then press ENTER.
 * 2) Select the Cancel Windows XP Setup option.
 * 3) Use the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel to remove the third-party software from your computer.
 * 4) After you have removed the third-party software, restart your computer.
 * 5) Upgrade your computer to Windows XP.
 * 6) Reinstall the third-party software after the upgrade process is complete.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about how to remove Norton Antivirus software, visit the following Symantec Web site:

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

For additional information about Windows XP Setup, click the following article numbers below to view the articles below in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310064 How to troubleshoot Windows XP Setup problems when you upgrade

316639 How to prepare to upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB829784

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