\windows\system32\config\system error message

[Guest]

PC shows on start-up the following:
Windows could not start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

After reading some comments on how to fix this problem, I went to this link
for help: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm. it was very
helpful until I got to the fifth step. After accepting the "Accept the
License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations"
(step 4) on my computer with the XP cd in it, I got a screen that says:

"The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned space on
this computer.

Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to select an item in the list.

-To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.
-To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.
-To delete the selected partition, press D."

I am confused on this setup section. Do I chose the Partition or
unpartitioned section? I never got the step 5 "Select the XP installation
you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair" scene.
Help needed. Thanks!

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi DALEJR8,

Click on the "Warning#2!" link in step 5

In addition, if WINXP was preinstalled on your computer by the computer
manufacturer, you may want to give this a read:

"You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or
Upgrading Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=312369



Regards,

 

[Guest]

In this configuration youre not repairing xp,youre reinstalling.At xp cd boot
screen select install xp,"repair this copy" in this mode a repair is
done,if youre
at "deleting partition" or "creating one" you wont be repairing xp.You must
have
empty unallocated disk space (raw) or another partition that xp is going to
install to..At xp cd boot screen select r for recovery,select 1 for disk C:
Press
enter key for password,then typeiskPart In DiskPart,if more than C: exist,
delete,you can delete all if wanted,then create one,then press ESC key,then
type:EXIT Restart to xp cd,select install xp,it will format and do a clean
install.

 

[Rock]

PC shows on start-up the following:
Windows could not start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the
original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

After reading some comments on how to fix this problem, I went to this link
for help: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm. it was very
helpful until I got to the fifth step. After accepting the "Accept the
License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations"
(step 4) on my computer with the XP cd in it, I got a screen that says:

"The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned space on
this computer.

Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to select an item in the list.

-To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press ENTER.
-To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.
-To delete the selected partition, press D."

I am confused on this setup section. Do I chose the Partition or
unpartitioned section? I never got the step 5 "Select the XP installation
you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair" scene.
Help needed. Thanks!

What kind of installation CD are you using - retail, generic OEM or
branded OEM? Not all branded OEMs allow a repair install.