To install or copy i386 files without a Windows XP CD, you can use a Windows XP installation image (ISO) if you have one, or extract the i386 folder from a legitimate source. You can create a bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus and place the i386 folder in it. Alternatively, if you have access to a working Windows XP system, you can copy the i386 folder from that system to your new installation location.
The i386 folder holds the files used to install or repair Windows. If your computer did not come with recovery CDs (which in your case, I would expect not), the manufacturer put the necessary files in the i386 folder instead. You should not delete the folder; in fact, I would highly reccomend making a copy of it and storing it externally (such as on a flash drive or CD) just in case the original becomes damaged or otherwise unusable. To begin the reinstallation process, find and run winnt32.exe in /i386 (or winnt.exe from DOS).
Boot from Windows XP CDSelect into boot menu "Restore Console" or smth like that copy X:\i386\ntdlr C:\copy X:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\Type this commands (X - is a letter of your CD/DVD drive; C - is disk where Windows XP installed):Reboot.Done.
Refer to the following URL http://www.freebsdforums.org/install-freebsd-7-i386/
Boot from Windows XP CDSelect into boot menu "Restore Console" or smth like that copy X:\i386\ntdlr C:\copy X:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\Type this commands (X - is a letter of your CD/DVD drive; C - is disk where Windows XP installed):Reboot.Done.
Boot from Windows XP CDSelect into boot menu "Restore Console" or smth like that copy X:\i386\ntdlr C:\copy X:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\Type this commands (X - is a letter of your CD/DVD drive; C - is disk where Windows XP installed):Reboot.Done.
The i386 folder is contained on a Windows installation disc, and contains all the necessary files to perform an installation of Microsoft Windows.
If the system drive is C, then the address is C:\
these sound like folders - I would just delete them using Windows Explorer/My Computer (assuming I didn't need the data any more - if I did, I would copy it away first)
\i386
"i386" refers to the Intel 80386, a 32-bit microprocessor released in 1985. Intel ceased producing them in 2007, as modern CPU technology has progressed much farther.
Yes, i386 can be deleted if it is not needed for your applications or system compatibility. However, before deleting it, ensure that no critical software or system components rely on the i386 architecture, especially on systems that require 32-bit compatibility. If you're unsure, it's advisable to consult documentation or seek assistance to avoid potential issues.
In A+ Guide to Managing & Maintaining Your PC Sixth Edition, Page 59 of Chapter 2 "What an Operating System Does" You will find it says: "The data is stored in a file on the hard drive called a SWAP file or PAGE file. The Windows 2000/XP swap file is Pagefile.sys, and the Windows 9x/Me swap file is Win386.swp."