dont think that was right as i pressed enter and it has rebooted and started setup again! it would not let me type in the command to copy file over from cd rom

Okay, it appears that you should enter a 1 at this point to go to the installation at C:\windows. Start over and try hitting a 1 followed by enter at this point.

if you can go to http://www.wintrouble.net/discus/messages/53/4871.html to see what i am trying to do

okay typed 1 and that worked - it then asked me for admin password so i just pressed return and then it gave me C:\WINDOWS> - i then tried to type in the command cd\windows\system32\drivers and it told me command not recognised!!!!

Okay, just looked. You were right there. You just need to press a 1 to select the right partition. I'll keep that page up if you need help from there.

You need a space between cd and \windows like:

sorry mate - u have to hold my hand at every stage here! got first command through and then tried next command ren ntfs.sys ntfs.old and it said could not find file and then i went on to command copy cd:\i386\ntfs.sys drive:\windows\system32\driveers and it said cannot find file specified again!

maybe i should just try reinstalling windows xp?

are you still online mate?

i suspect you are offline - can you come back to me on this tomorrow as i am nearly there - one command away!! appreciate your help very much - unbelievably kind