Windows will not start

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim L.
  • Start date Start date
T

Tim L.

I tried posting this once a half hour ago, still doesn't show up
on my machine. So, sorry if it duplicates.

I'm trying to repair/restore a Gateway XP Home that boots to:
"Windows could not start because the following 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."

I've tried this and it simply reboots again. I've tried hitting
F8 on boot and get the set up options, to boot into safe mode etc
etc, but nothing works. I've tried F1 also, I Somehow I managed
once to get to the BIOS Options screen, but can't seem to repeat
the process.

Am I missing something?

Thanks
Tim

--




"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for
lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
-- Ben Franklin (1759)
 
Thanks, I had found the first article, but cannot boot to a CD.
Can I create a Windows XP Emergency Boot Disk on my other machine
and use it on the broken one?
Thanks
 
I was able to use the 6 Windows XP Boot Disks from the floppy
drive and gain access to Recovery Console, but I'm not able to
accomplish anything there either. I'll just keep reading. It
cannot locate Chkdsk
Thanks
Tim
 
I tried doing all the things suggested on
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545,
but the machine cannot locate the files to copy either on the
hard drive or the CD.
How can I just reformat the hard drive? I wouldn't accept the
FORMAT \q command either. AUTOFMT.EXE could not be located
either.
Tim
 
I was actually able to get to the screen that says "Enter Windows
XP Home Edition CD", but the light flashes on the CDROM drive
like it's searching, but never does anything. I guess it's time
to take it to the shop.
First one I've never been able to get fixed.
Tim
 
Sorry it didn't work out for you Tim, hope you're not without your computer for
too long.
Kaylene
 
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