"Windows could not start because the following files were missing

[bently]

Using XP home, sp2, all critical updates installed.

About a month ago when I would boot up my computer, I would get the
folowing screen...

"Windows could not start because the following files were missing or
corrupt:
\windows\system32\congfig\system.
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
original Setup CD ROM.
Select "r" at first screen to start repair."

I would just press the "r" key and it would finish booting up. ( most
of the time) Sometimes I would power down and reboot successfully.

Also occasional... .."One of your disks need checking .......etc...."

After a week or so of the above, I REFORMATTED my "C" drive and
reinstalled XP home sp1, then updates and SP2.


After about another week, I would get the "Windows could not
start....." message again. Again I did this for about a week and then
REFORMATTED AGAIN, with the same results.

NEXT...I thought maybe my HDD was going bad and I was going to install
another HDD anyhow, so I put in new HDD and FORMATTED it as "C" & "E",
with "C" being boot drive.

About a week later, I started getting the same screen on boot....
"Windows could not start because the following files were missing or
corrupt:
\windows\system32\congfig\system."


The next thing I did was ...
1. COPIED "I386" from Win XP cd-rom to "C" drive.

2. Start > Run and type: "CMD" and hit enter.

3. In the Command Prompt window type: SFC /SCANNOW
and hit enter. Have Windows XP CD available. ( previously COPIED
"I386" from Win XP cd-rom to "C" drive.)

After running SFC:

Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools >
System Information > View > System History

1. Found close to "100 pages of changes" In "System
Information/system summary/SOFTWARE ENVIREMENT", showing ALL listed
items as "REMOVED" from STARTUP PROGRAMS.

2. In System Summary HARDWARE RESOURCES, found full page of "STARTING
ADDRESSES CHANGED" on all types hardware.

3. In COMPONANTS summary, found 2 pages of changes, all for DEVICE
TYPE "Audio or Video"


After doing the above, when I booted my computer this morning, got the
same message.... " Windows could not start because the following files
were missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\congfig\system. "

Also got "One of your disks need checking" on the new harddrive.

What can be causing this? ... this is driving me nuts.

I have ran AVG, Spybot, EWIDO, Ad-Aware, CW Shredder, MS AntiSpy,
Ad-Aware se, and Hijack this. NO malware found, only a few tracking
cookies that were removed.

Appreciate any help.

bently

 

[Chelsea]

Hi I would suspect a motherboard fault. It may be in the hard disk
controller chip or possibly in the memory controller. Do you have any
software based diagnostic tools? Checkit-Pro will check the motherboard-the
problem is it costs twice as much as a new motherboard. Other possibilities
are memory-remove the modules from your mobo and then reseat them making
sure the retainer lugs come up and lock. Are all the modules the same speed?
Also check hard drive cables-are you using the right type for hard drive you
have? Try disconnecting the CD/DVD unit at the Mobo and connect the hard
disk to IDE 2.
Make sure the mobo has the most recent bios release

You could reformat and reload again, but this time schedule your hard drive
defragmenter to run at least once a day. How much free space is there on
your hard disk. Finally make a system image with Trueimage or Ghost to save
yourself the hassle of doing manual installs. Can't think of anything else,
but others are bound to have more ideas.

Chelsea

 

[bently]

Thanks Chelea,

I guess I will take computer to computer tech and have it checked.

Ben