Synopsis:
I am trying to install a printer/external device/application and the computer is asking for my Windows CD. What do I do?

Solution:
It is highly recommended that you locate your Windows install CD and keep it with you at all times. If you most certainly do not have it, you can check to see if your computer manufacturer (or the OIT Help Desk) copied the Installation CD to your hard drive:

1. Go to Start, Find --> Files or Folders

2. In the "Named" field, type the following (without quotes): " *.cab "

3. In the "Look in" field, select the drop down menu and highlight either C: or the phrase "Local hard drives (X:, Y:,) where X and Y might be C: and D: (not the CD-ROM). This happens if you have either a partitioned or secondary hard drive. Click "Find Now"

4. If your computer has these CAB files, you will notice under the "In Folder" column of your search results a path like "C:\Windows\Options\Cabs" or something similar (you may have to extend the size of the column to see the entire location). Write this location down.

If a computer manufacturer has copied these files, most likely your computer will not prompt you for the CD. However, in some cases it will ask for a file it cannot locate; if that occurs, try the following locations:

C:\Windows\System

C:\Windows\Inf

C:\Windows\

Please see Solution 5124 for how to copy your cab files from your CD to your hard drive (assuming you have enough hard drive space).