"Cannot Find Layout.inf" Error Message and Computer Stops Responding When You Run Windows Me Setup (300569)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

To resolve this behavior:

1. Start the computer with the Windows Me startup disk in the floppy disk drive.
2. When you are prompted, select the Start computer with CD ROM Support menu option.
3. At a command prompt, type c:.
4. At a command prompt, type the following command to search for any Iemgrat files:

   dir iemigrat.* /s

5. Rename all of the Iemgrat files so that they have a .old file extension. For example, type the following command (where folder_name is the folder that contains the file and original_file_extension is the original file extension):

   ren c:\folder_name\iemigrat.original_file_extension iemigrat.old

   If there are multiple instances of an Iemigrat file in one folder, rename the files with different file extensions, for example, .001, .002, .003, and so on.
6. After you rename all of the Iemigrat files, type the following command at a command prompt:

   cd windows\options

7. The Options folder contains the Install folder. Rename the Install folder to Old_inst. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt:

   ren install old_inst

   When you do this, Windows Me Setup does not use this folder.
8. Insert the Windows Me CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
9. Use the following steps to start Windows Me Setup:
   1. Type cd .. at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.
   2. Type cd .. at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.
   3. Type cd_drive_letter: at a command prompt (where cd_drive_letter is the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive), and then press ENTER.
   4. Type setup at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.

If the you continue to experience the behavior that is described in the "Symptoms" section of this article, follow the procedure in the "Method 2" section of this article.

Method 2

If your hard disk has enough free space, install Windows Me in a new folder (also called a "parallel" installation). For additional information about how to install Windows Me in a new folder, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If you continue to experience the behavior that is described in the "Symptoms" section of this article, view the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: