i have a question about .cab files,I would be grateful if anyone could explain how you extract them and then when you have,how you use them to troubleshoot a problem. thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

You open the cab file then find the item you want to extract, right click it and click extract. I believe it will extract to the proper location.


On Monday, January 6, 2003 at 10:01 am, alan moffat wrote:
>i have a question about .cab files,I would be grateful if anyone could explain how
>you extract them and then when you have,how you use them to troubleshoot a problem.
>
>thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

This is something you need to do some studying on. There are several ways to extract 
cab files. It's not for troubleshooting but is generally used to replace missing 
or corrupt files.  

You can use System File Checker to extract files, extract files from DOS, you can 
even use a batch file to extract. You can install Windows from them, CAB install 
files, is what they are.

Copying/Extracting From .CAB Files

Extracting CAB Files

Building on Carol's advice, CAB files are like zip files, containing a set of Windows system files in compressed form. During install, the required files are extracted from the CAB files. Subsequently, if a Windows file is corrupted or lost, you can replace it using sfc (go to Start, Run enter sfc, click OK and use the wizard). sfc will identify the corrupt/missing files and extract them from the appropriate CAB file. Or you can do it yourself using the extract command in a DOS window.


On Monday, January 6, 2003 at 10:01 am, alan moffat wrote:
>i have a question about .cab files,I would be grateful if anyone could explain how
>you extract them and then when you have,how you use them to troubleshoot a problem.
>
>thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

carol,cheers for your advice concerning .cab files,i've just started an a plus course and as u rightly say,need to do loads of work.you've been a great help

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

just a wee line to say cheers for your info regarding.cab files,you've been a great help!


On Monday, January 6, 2003 at 7:47 pm, Oh_dear wrote:
>Building on Carol's advice, CAB files are like zip files, containing a set of Windows
>system files in compressed form. During install, the required files are extracted
>from the CAB files. Subsequently, if a Windows file is corrupted or lost, you can
>replace it using sfc (go to Start, Run enter sfc, click OK and use the wizard).
>sfc will identify the corrupt/missing files and extract them from the appropriate
>CAB file. Or you can do it yourself using the extract command in a DOS window.
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Carol's first reference (Copying/Extracting, repeated here) is useful but it does not explain the Windows 98 CAB viewer. Consult all three of these pages.

Copying/Extracting From .CAB Files
Viewing CAB Files
Extracting files from the Windows cabinets

Much free advice presumes that you will extract any system file from a Windows CD-ROM. These three pages jointly explain how to use the CAB archive on the hard disk (if Windows is running).

P.S. Identify bad system files using System File Checker; "Scan for altered files".


On Monday, January 6, 2003 at 12:24 pm, Carol wrote:

>This is something you need to do some studying on. There are several ways to extract 
>cab files. It's not for troubleshooting but is generally used to replace missing 
>or corrupt files.  
>
>You can use System File Checker to extract files, extract files from DOS, you can 
>even use a batch file to extract. 
[Reply or follow-up to this message]

There is a lot of good advice here, however I do not see mention of the built in command line tool for extracting cab files: expand.exe Expand has been around, as a part of EVERY Microsoft OS since MS-DOS 6.0 and works on every version of Windows (ok, I have not tried it on my Windows 2003 server....ok.. strike that.... I just did and it does too). Expand /? from the cmd or command prompt should give you the options and is available .CAB files are like ZIP files... they are just a compressed container full of files. Sometimes troubleshooters need to replace a file do to damage or deletion. The file can be replaced IF the right version of the file can be identified. Most system vendors try to ship the CAB files for the operating systems (which are on the CD) on the hard drive in a location where the systems can automatically find them -- to install new componets when needed/requested. David Taylor, geek.


On Monday, January 6, 2003 at 10:01 am, andy wrote:
>i have a question about .cab files,I would be grateful if anyone could explain how
>you extract them and then when you have,how you use them to troubleshoot a problem.
>
>thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Ok this is how to extract files from cab files, but how do you replace damaged files in the cab file. You don't seem to be able to just drop a file into the cab as you can with zip files? Your advice would be gratefully appreciated.


On Friday, May 21, 2004 at 2:05 pm, David Taylor wrote:
>
>There is a lot of good advice here, however I do not see mention of the built in
>command line tool for extracting cab files: expand.exe
>
>Expand has been around, as a part of EVERY Microsoft OS since MS-DOS 6.0 and works
>on every version of Windows (ok, I have not tried it on my Windows 2003 server....ok..
>strike that.... I just did and it does too).
>
>Expand /? from the cmd or command prompt should give you the options and is available
>
>.CAB files are like ZIP files... they are just a compressed container full of files.
> Sometimes troubleshooters need to replace a file do to damage or deletion. The
>file can be replaced IF the right version of the file can be identified. Most system
>vendors try to ship the CAB files for the operating systems (which are on the CD)
>on the hard drive in a location where the systems can automatically find them --
>to install new componets when needed/requested.
>
>David Taylor, geek.
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

|how do you replace damaged files in the cab file ?
|You don't seem to be able to just drop a file into the cab 
|as you can with zip files?
| David Opie

A *.CAB file is a distribution file from a software supplier.
If it is damaged, DON'T USE IT.
Get a replacement from the supplier.

If you are talking about a file in your C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CABS directory
and you don't have a Windows install CD,
you can copy the file from someone who has the same OS version
or buy a CD on the Windows 98 gray market.
e-bay is often mentioned here as a source.

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