When I turn on my Toshiba Satellite, it automatically goes to a screen which
says "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" I haven't DLed anything and have a
virus protector. I can't start up in safe-mode or in the last good config,
and since Windows XP (HOME) was preloaded when I bought this machine, I can't
access the repair files via CD-ROM. Is there any solution to this? Or
somewhere I can go online to download the files to a CD and import them onto
my own computer?

/elflynn(removethis)@ucsc.edu/ said:

> When I turn on my Toshiba Satellite, it automatically goes to a screen which
> says "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
> corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" I haven't DLed anything and have a
> virus protector. I can't start up in safe-mode or in the last good config,
> and since Windows XP (HOME) was preloaded when I bought this machine, I can't
> access the repair files via CD-ROM. Is there any solution to this? Or
> somewhere I can go online to download the files to a CD and import them onto
> my own computer?


Try a boot into Safe Mode, by hitting F8 just before the "Starting
Windows" screen would appear (takes a bit of practice).
Choose LAST GOOD.

If that does nothing, use a working PC to read this first...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q823614
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Related info is here...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q307545
describes a three-step process to extract a copy of the registry
from the System Restore SVI folder.

Info on dealing with corruption issues...
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822705

Reinstall/repair tutorials (if needed) are here...
http://WWW.WEBTREE.CA/windowsxp/
http://michaelstevenstech.com

After your system is restored, the ERUNT utility available here may
make it easier to fix the problem if it recurs...
http://HOME.T-ONLINE.DE/home/lars.hederer/erunt

If the problem persists, try swapping current RAM (even if it checks
good) for a single, high-quality 512Mb chip. XP reportedly is sensitive
to memory timing.

--
For most XP answers and tweaks...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://dougknox.com http://aumha.org
http://support.microsoft.com

You can also try following the articles listed below to resolve the issue.
This article mentions WIndows 2000, but will also work just as well for
Windows XP:

834646 You receive a "Loader Error 3" error message and a "System hive
error"

269075 Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=269075

elflynn(removethis)@ucsc.edu wrote:
> When I turn on my Toshiba Satellite, it automatically goes to a
> screen which says "Windows could not start because the following
> file
> is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" I haven't
> DLed anything and have a virus protector. I can't start up in
> safe-mode or in the last good config, and since Windows XP (HOME)
> was
> preloaded when I bought this machine, I can't access the repair
> files
> via CD-ROM. Is there any solution to this? Or somewhere I can go
> online to download the files to a CD and import them onto my own
> computer?


Contact Toshiba about obtain an installation CD to use to perform
any necessary repair actions.

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

Once you've recovered, you might want to look here, as well:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822705


--

Bruce Chambers

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