XP home won't boot due to missing file

[Guest]

I need help re-installing a system file. I'm not sure how it got deleted, but the C:\windows\system32\config\system file is missing. When I boot up I get a "file is missing or corrupt. Please insert setup disk and press R". However, any key press reboots the system to the same mesage. I cannot get the machine to recognize the XP CD to get to the recovery console to restore the file. I have been able to boot from a Win98 floppy to a command prompt, but there are no XP files listed for me to recover

Thanks in advance.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

A 9x floppy boots to DOS and if the file system you are using with XP is
NTFS and that appears the case with you, then booting from the 9x floppy
will find nothing as it doesn't recognize that file system.

You'll need to try a repair install:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

 

[Mr B]

My system is caught in a continuous shutdown loop. My
system restarts each time I sign in.

I use XP Pro. I have tried to put my computer in safe
mode but the system won't let me. I've tried using f8 it
doesn't let me chose safe mode.

I tried going into the setup menu and attempt to boot
from the cd rom. That doesn't work either, once I start
up the system will not me change the mode of the computer.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If the system won't boot from the CD-ROM there are emergency floppy disks
that might help you get started, they will boot the system and at the end of
the boot should ask for the XP CD. Before going that far, when you boot
from the XP CD, a few screens into the boot, there should be a message
telling you "If you wish to boot from the CD, press any key" and it gives
you 10 seconds in which to do so. Many often miss this and assume the
System won't boot from the CD. In any event, if you never get to such a
point try the boot floppies from the appropriate site below:

Home Edition:
http://tinyurl.com/3azo

Pro:
http://tinyurl.com/4d3p