Win2k won't boot- SYSTEMd F8 file error

[AlienZen]

New installation of win 2k, worked fine while updating drivers for
peripherals, closed case, slid under desk, and next boot, when it gets to
the DOS looking screen with a status bar that prompts you to press F8 for
boot options, it gives the following error:

Windows 2000 could not boot because the following file is missing or
corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMd startup options for Windows 2000 press F8.

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000
Setup using the setup floppy disk or CD-ROM.
Select 'R' at the first screen to start repair.

First off, I have no ERD. I was going to wait till I got everything all set
up.
Whn I run the repair from the CD, it cannot find the win 2K OS. It's right
there, the only thing on C:\
If I select to run recovery console, it lets me select C:\WINDOWS, then sits
there at a C: prompt.
Forgive my ignorance, but,
Now what do I do??

Thanks,
PME

 

[Guest]

I would suggest that you run a checkdisk from the recovery console.
It could be that your HD has a physical problem
This link explains how to use it at command line (from recovery console)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/chkdsk.mspx

Rgds,

Greg

 

[Dave Patrick]

If the system hive is corrupt, and assuming you already tried LKG (F8 and
choose Last Known Good), It may be possible to rename the system hive found
in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks. At
the "Welcome to Setup" screen. Press F10 or R to repair a Windows 2000
installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The Recovery
Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do not have
the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer: drive
root, %systemroot% or %windir%


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| New installation of win 2k, worked fine while updating drivers for
| peripherals, closed case, slid under desk, and next boot, when it gets to
| the DOS looking screen with a status bar that prompts you to press F8 for
| boot options, it gives the following error:
|
| Windows 2000 could not boot because the following file is missing or
| corrupt:
| \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMd startup options for Windows 2000 press
F8.
|
| You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000
| Setup using the setup floppy disk or CD-ROM.
| Select 'R' at the first screen to start repair.
|
| First off, I have no ERD. I was going to wait till I got everything all
set
| up.
| Whn I run the repair from the CD, it cannot find the win 2K OS. It's right
| there, the only thing on C:\
| If I select to run recovery console, it lets me select C:\WINDOWS, then
sits
| there at a C: prompt.
| Forgive my ignorance, but,
| Now what do I do??
|
| Thanks,
| PME
|
|