Black screen during setup Windows XP SP2

[Petr Polívka]

Hi,
I met interesting problem, on the fully workable computer with MS Windows XP
SP2, fully patched. After correct shut down I normally start computer, and
after BIOS boot I see this text:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
\windows\system32\config\system
You can attempt to repair this file be starting windows setup using
origional setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

I know that this is a registry problem and I may use the registry backup,
but I use this error as good excuse to reinstall system. After boot from
installation CD I see normal message: “Setup is detecting hardware,†and
after this only black screen. Black screen is without cursor.

I tested memory and test is negative – memory is without errors. I tried to
install other system – Fedora Linux, and there weren’t problems, fedora works
perfectly. During Fedora installation was HDD formatted, and MBR was
overwritten. Then I try to install XP, but problem remaining.

I disconnected all unnecessary peripheries, problem still remaining. Only
one problem I identify, BIOS detecting only 137 GB, but HDD have 300 GB –
computer is older. Previous installations of the Windows XP on this computer
were without problems.

Please advise me next progress.
Petr Polivka

 

[DL]

If your Bios only detects 137gb then it may be that you have a bios problem
I would try clearing the cmos, then setting bios to defaults

 

[Petr Polívka]

Thanks for yours advices. Problem was really in disk. I used utility from
disk producer (Seagate disk wizard starter edition) and passed low level
format (fill zeros). After this I install XP without problems.

Petr Polivka

 

[DL]

If the bios only detects 137gb, and unless you used a seagate utility to
allow large disks to be used, then you run the risk of data corruption