Question : missing asms file

loaded window xp recovery after a crash.  when setup started asked to locate asms file.  Reloaded windows in a different folder computer works fine.  Now can i fix the old instalation so that i dont have to install all the programs again

Answer : missing asms file

ASMS is a folder in  i386 on XP setup disk. When setup asks for the file, either direct it to the location, or copy your XP disk i386 folder to a different location and direct setup to look there. You may find that when it gets past ASMS, it cannot find other files, also. You may need to similarly redirect it.
Why can setup not find ASMS? It implies aproblem with your CD rom drive. Once XP is installed, take a look at how well your CD drive is working.

Good luck!