Vista - Access Vista Install DVD Files

**uvbogden**

Access Files On Your Vista Install DVD

Information

When your Vista OS stops working properly, one possibility is that one or more system files may have become corrupted. Sometimes this is due to a Windows update hotfix, a security software problem, or downloading damaged files or malware from the internet. File corruption may also develop from weaknesses in the operating system, simply from the laws of chance, or it may just be the nature of the beast. Once you have attempted other repair options and have identified corrupted system files in your OS that cannot be repaired by System File Check, you can access good files on your Vista Install DVD and copy them to your OS to replace corrupt files and get your system humming again.

NOTE

It's a good idea to Backup Files & Folders before you do any repair work on Vista in case anything unexpected happens. Once your repair is completed, you can Restore Backup Files & Folders if needed. If you haven’t already reviewed Repair Vista Options-Preferred Sequence, it’s recommended that you do so before you access your Vista Install DVD files.

If you have SP1 installed, then you will need a slipstream or normal Vista SP1 installation DVD to do any repairs calling for the use of the Vista installation DVD.

RELATED LINKS

Backup Files & Folders

Restore Backup Files & Folders

Repair Vista Options-Preferred Sequence

STEP ONE: System File Check (SFC)

If you have not already done so, run SFC. If there are corrupt files that SFC could not repair, go to the CBS.log file to find out which particular files are damaged and could not be fixed (C:\Windows\Log\CBS\CBS.log). The CBS.log file can be very large and filled with months of log data. Scroll rapidly to the last portion where you’ll find the dated log files from your SFC run. Once SFC has identified the corrupt files, write down their names so you can copy good files to your OS to replace these.

System File Check

STEP TWO: Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK)

The Windows Vista OS files are all included on the Vista Install DVD as a single install.wim (windows image) file. The Windows Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) includes the Imagex Utility which mounts the install.wim file so that you can access its content via Windows Explorer. Windows AIK can be downloaded from Microsoft at the following link. It comes as a large .img image file. Open this .img file with a program like Daemon Tools at the following link, and install the kit to your computer. Daemon Tools is free but does come with a separate adware program that you can elect not to install.

Windows Automated Installation Kit

Daemon Tools Download

WARNING

DaemonTools contains spyware, make sure you unselect the toolbar during install

STEP THREE: Install the WIM File System Filter

Navigate on your C drive to the C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 folder, right-click on wimfltr.inf and select Install. This will install the WIM File System Filter which enables browsing and editing of WIM file contents.

STEP FOUR: Mount the install.wim File

1. Place your Vista Install DVD in your DVD drive (E:\ in our example). Create a folder on the file system that will be used to place the install.wim file content (e.g. D:\Vistamount). This destination folder must be on a partition or drive other than that where your Vista OS resides. In addition, be sure you take Ownership and grant yourself Full Control permissions of the destination folder before you try to mount install.wim in it.

2. Start a command prompt with Administrative credentials: Start, Programs, Accessories; right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

3. In the Command Prompt box, change the directory by typing in cd C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86 to navigate to the folder containing the Imagex Utility.

4. Run the imagex command with the /mount switch to open the file in read-only mode or the /mountrw switch to open with full read and write abilities. Use the following command syntax: imagex </mount or /mountrw> <location and name of file> <image number to open in the WIM file> <path to the folder where you’ll display the file>.

For example, to mount the Windows Vista install.wim file to path D:\Vistamount (where E:\ is your DVD drive), use the following command:

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 D:\Vistamount

STEP FIVE: Access Your Vista Install DVD Files

You now have install.wim mounted in D:\Vistamount and accessible as a file system. You can then access (i.e. copy and paste) the new OS files via standard file system management tools, such as the Command Prompt or Windows Explorer.

STEP SIX: Unmount the install.wim File

Once you are done accessing your Vista DVD files unmount the install.wim file using the Imagex Utility with the /unmount switch, and if you wish to keep the changes made also add the /commit switch. Use the following command:

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /unmount /commit D:\Vistamount

Thanks to the many Windows Communities contributors who provided source materials from which this was compiled.

dgoman · 11-29-2007

Hello,

I get to step 4 where I have to mount the wim file, but that step does not work for me. I get the following message - help!:

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 D:\Vista
ImageX Tool for Windows
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2005. All rights reserved.

Mounting: [E:\Sources\install.wim, 1] ->
[D:\Vista]
Error mounting image:
The system cannot find the file specified.
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>

**uvbogden** · 11-29-2007

Quote: Originally Posted by dgoman

Hello,

I get to step 4 where I have to mount the wim file, but that step does not work for me. I get the following message - help!:

C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 D:\Vista
ImageX Tool for Windows
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2005. All rights reserved.

Mounting: [E:\Sources\install.wim, 1] ->
[D:\Vista]
Error mounting image:
The system cannot find the file specified.
C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>

dgoman,

The error message seems to be saying that ImageX can't find either E:\Sources\install.wim, or D:\Vista. Be sure you have created the "Vista" folder on your D drive. This destination drive must be a different partition or drive from the one with your Vista OS. Also be sure your Vista Install DVD is loaded in your E drive before trying to mount the install.wim file found on your DVD. Let me know if this helps.

Bruce

dgoman · 11-29-2007

Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. I'm 100% sure that E:\Sources\install.wim is accessible and available (see copy & paste below). I also did create a Vista folder on my D drive - the D drive is on a different physical drive. I also tried to mount to a non-existant folder and it have me a different error message. So the problem appears to be accessing the install.wim file on E drive. As you can see in the paste below, I can see it fine by doing a dir or using file explorer.

Any other ideas?

Code:

 
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 
C:\Users\Dan>e:
 
E:\>cd sources
 
E:\sources>dir
Volume in drive E is LRMCxFRE_EN_DVD
Volume Serial Number is C5F2-3AD6
 
Directory of E:\sources
 
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> .
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> ..
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 200,704 actionqueue.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> adprep
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,046 alert.gif
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,109,440 apds.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 270,848 apircl.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,710 appcompat.xsl
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,754 appcompat_bidi.xsl
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 4,237 appcompat_detailed.xsl
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 4,282 appcompat_detailed_bidi.xsl
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 231,424 apss.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 982,016 arunimg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 4,096 arunres.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 115,712 autorun.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 136,630,167 boot.wim
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 521,728 cbscore.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,260 cbscore.mof
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 17,408 cbsmsg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 231,936 cmi2migxml.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 120,320 cmiadapter.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 443,904 cmitrust.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,731,968 cmiv2.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 252,416 cntrtextinstaller.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 157 compliance.ini
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 4,608 compres.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 351,744 csiagent.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 38,400 diager.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 146,944 diagnostic.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> dlmanifests
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 396,800 dpx.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 112,128 drupdate.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 49,376 drvmain.sdb
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 93,696 drvmgrtn.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 310,784 drvstore.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> en-us
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 15,430 envmig.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 425,984 esscli.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 888,832 fastprox.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 39,424 fveupg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,864,504 globalinstallorder.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 135,680 helpcins.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 199,680 hwcompat.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 568,474 hwcompat.txt
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,676 hwexclude.txt
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 121 idwbinfo.txt
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 256,000 input.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,504,026,910 install.wim
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 795,931 install_Windows Vista BUSINESS.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 792,393 install_Windows Vista BUSINESSN.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 753,872 install_Windows Vista HOMEBASIC.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 750,257 install_Windows Vista HOMEBASICN.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 781,601 install_Windows Vista HOMEPREMIUM.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 816,797 install_Windows Vista ULTIMATE.clg
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 78 lang.ini
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> license
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,661,664 locale.nls
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 370,176 locdrv.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 11,198,976 migcore.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 267,776 mighost.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 119,296 migisol.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 9,216 migres.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 38,912 migtestplugin.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 263,168 mofd.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 117,248 mofinstall.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 6,020,000 mrt.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 459,264 msdelta.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 46,592 mspatcha.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 23,040 msswch.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,757,184 msxml6.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,048 msxml6r.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 114,176 mxeagent.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 56,832 nlsbres.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 24,576 ntdsupg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 207,360 oemhelpins.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 24,941 offline.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 593,881 oscomps.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 17,979 osfilter.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,090,560 pidgenx.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 88,830 pkeyconfig.xrm-ms
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 155,136 pkgmgr.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 76,288 pnpibs.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 368 product.ini
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 134,973 readme.rtf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 377,344 repdrvfs.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 216,576 rescinst.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 104,960 rollback.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 77,824 schema.dat
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 115,200 sdbapiu.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 511,292 segoeui.ttf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM <DIR> servicing
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 209,000 setup.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 247,808 setuposk.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 634,296 sflist2k.dat
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,461,746 sflistlh.dat
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,418,636 sflistxp.dat
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 9,148 sfpat.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,309 sfpat2k.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 3,200 sfpatlh.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 4,163 sfpatxp.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 930,816 smiengine.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 121,344 smipi.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 124,520 sperr32.exe
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 24,576 spflvrnt.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 53,248 spprgrss.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 424,448 spwizeng.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 5,962,752 spwizimg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 7,168 spwizres.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 167,424 sqmapi.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 41,242 sysmain.sdb
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 248,320 unattend.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,068,544 unbcl.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 573 uninstallustlib.mof
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 18,464 upgcompat.inf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 734,208 upgdriver.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 161,792 upgloader.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 110,217 upgrade_bulk.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,488,832 upgradeagent.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 23,281 upgradeagent.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 412,672 upgreport.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 53,557 upgwow_bulk.xml
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,984 ustlib.mof
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 149,096 vofflps.rtf
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,928,128 w32uiimg.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 259,584 w32uires.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 597 warning.gif
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 540,672 wbemcomn.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,198,080 wbemcore.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 43,520 wbemprox.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,047 wcmtypes.xsd
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 2,327,040 wcp.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 250,880 wdsclient.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 53,760 wdsclientapi.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 292,864 wdscore.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 56,320 wdscsl.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 441,344 wdsimage.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 56,320 wdsutil.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 543,744 win32ui.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,745,408 winsetup.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 1,682 wmi_tracing.mof
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 131,584 wmiutils.dll
11/02/2006 12:00 PM 178,688 xmllite.dll
135 File(s) 3,718,257,019 bytes
8 Dir(s) 0 bytes free
 
E:\sources>

**uvbogden** · 11-30-2007

If you installed the WIM File System Filter in Step 3, you should be able to access install.wim. Other than that, I don't know why it's not working for you.

**uvbogden** · 11-30-2007

I should mention that I was unable to use the /mountrw switch so I just used the /mount switch. The other thought I had was to be sure you take Ownership and grant yourself Full Control permissions of the destination folder before trying to mount install.wim in it.

lassimanji · 02-01-2008

HI uvbogden, I have Vista Home Basic pre installed on Dell Vostro 1500.
1. Is this method valid for pre installed OS as well?
2. If I need to repair tcpmon.ini and settings.ini then where to copy these files in OS? (What is the location of tcpmon.ini in OS)
3. System has only 1 partition so, would a 2GB pen drive be sufficient?

**uvbogden** · 02-01-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by lassimanji

HI uvbogden, I have Vista Home Basic pre installed on Dell Vostro 1500.
1. Is this method valid for pre installed OS as well?
2. If I need to repair tcpmon.ini and settings.ini then where to copy these files in OS? (What is the location of tcpmon.ini in OS)
3. System has only 1 partition so, would a 2GB pen drive be sufficient?

lassimanji,

1. This does work on pre-installed OEM versions as long as you have the Vista Install DVD (or can borrow one).
2. You can do an advanced search of your C drive, including non-indexed, hidden, and system files, to find these. On my Dell laptop C:\Windows\System 32\tcpmon.ini; C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\settings.ini; and C:\MDT\setting.ini.
3. The Windows AIK download is almost 1 GB, so your pen drive should work if you can use another computer to download WAIK and Daemon.
4. Have you already gone through Repair Vista Options and tried those fixes?

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/101393-repair-vista-options-preferred-sequence.html

Good luck!

Bruce

sp4rt4n029 · 02-12-2008

Looking at the CBS.log file, how do I know which files should I copy over? All lines tagged with [SR] have the status "info" but yet when I run sfc /scannow, it says system files are corrupt and can't repair.

Thanks

**uvbogden** · 02-17-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by sp4rt4n029

Looking at the CBS.log file, how do I know which files should I copy over? All lines tagged with [SR] have the status "info" but yet when I run sfc /scannow, it says system files are corrupt and can't repair.

Thanks

If you open CBS.log, click on Edit, and on Select All, then Edit, then Delete, this will empty a very large file. Then run sfc and CBS.log will only have information on that sfc run, making it more managable.

Then click on Edit and Find and enter "cannot repair". This will seek out any files sfc could not repair. Write each one down, then click on find next til you're through the entire CBS.log file. These are the files you'll want to replace.

Bruce

11-29-2007
dgoman Vista Ultimate x64 2 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files Hello, I get to step 4 where I have to mount the wim file, but that step does not work for me. I get the following message - help!: C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 D:\Vista ImageX Tool for Windows Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2005. All rights reserved. Mounting: [E:\Sources\install.wim, 1] -> [D:\Vista] Error mounting image: The system cannot find the file specified. C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>
My System Specs

11-29-2007
uvbogden Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 24 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files Quote: Originally Posted by dgoman Hello, I get to step 4 where I have to mount the wim file, but that step does not work for me. I get the following message - help!: C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86>imagex /mount E:\Sources\install.wim 1 D:\Vista ImageX Tool for Windows Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2005. All rights reserved. Mounting: [E:\Sources\install.wim, 1] -> [D:\Vista] Error mounting image: The system cannot find the file specified. C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\x86> dgoman, The error message seems to be saying that ImageX can't find either E:\Sources\install.wim, or D:\Vista. Be sure you have created the "Vista" folder on your D drive. This destination drive must be a different partition or drive from the one with your Vista OS. Also be sure your Vista Install DVD is loaded in your E drive before trying to mount the install.wim file found on your DVD. Let me know if this helps. Bruce
My System Specs

11-30-2007
uvbogden Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 24 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files If you installed the WIM File System Filter in Step 3, you should be able to access install.wim. Other than that, I don't know why it's not working for you.
My System Specs

11-30-2007
uvbogden Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 24 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files I should mention that I was unable to use the /mountrw switch so I just used the /mount switch. The other thought I had was to be sure you take Ownership and grant yourself Full Control permissions of the destination folder before trying to mount install.wim in it.
My System Specs

02-01-2008
lassimanji vista home basic 32bit 1 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files HI uvbogden, I have Vista Home Basic pre installed on Dell Vostro 1500. 1. Is this method valid for pre installed OS as well? 2. If I need to repair tcpmon.ini and settings.ini then where to copy these files in OS? (What is the location of tcpmon.ini in OS) 3. System has only 1 partition so, would a 2GB pen drive be sufficient? Last edited by lassimanji; 02-01-2008 at 03:01 AM..
My System Specs

02-12-2008
sp4rt4n029 Vista x86 1 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files Looking at the CBS.log file, how do I know which files should I copy over? All lines tagged with [SR] have the status "info" but yet when I run sfc /scannow, it says system files are corrupt and can't repair. Thanks
My System Specs

02-17-2008
uvbogden Windows Vista Ultimate x86 SP1 24 posts	Re: Access Vista Install DVD Files Quote: Originally Posted by sp4rt4n029 Looking at the CBS.log file, how do I know which files should I copy over? All lines tagged with [SR] have the status "info" but yet when I run sfc /scannow, it says system files are corrupt and can't repair. Thanks If you open CBS.log, click on Edit, and on Select All, then Edit, then Delete, this will empty a very large file. Then run sfc and CBS.log will only have information on that sfc run, making it more managable. Then click on Edit and Find and enter "cannot repair". This will seek out any files sfc could not repair. Write each one down, then click on find next til you're through the entire CBS.log file. These are the files you'll want to replace. Bruce
My System Specs

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