Windows XP will not start

[Guest]

I can not start my computer running XP Home Edition. Computer bought in 2002
OEM loaded software. I do not have the "original setup CD-ROM.

message comes up at boot: "Windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrumpt: \windows\system\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."

What can I do to recover this computer??

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I can not start my computer running XP Home Edition. Computer bought in 2002
OEM loaded software. I do not have the "original setup CD-ROM.

message comes up at boot: "Windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrumpt: \windows\system\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."

What can I do to recover this computer??

Thanks in advance for any help

You don't actually need the original CD to fix this. You can use any
bootable XP CD to get to the recovery console and follow the directions at
the link below.

You can also use other types of bootable CDs or floppies, because the repair
basically involves creating folders and copying files. You can also
remove the drive and host it in any XP system. No matter how you gain
access to the drive, the actual repair steps are the same, except for
potential drive letter differences.

If your system drive is formatted NTFS, you can't use a Win9x boot disk,
because those cannot read NTFS.

Here's the Microsoft text on fixing this error:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/

If you do use a boot CD, look closely at the mentions of using a floppy and
the BATCH command - this will save you a lot of typing and time.

HTH
-pk

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Does your OEM CD have a 'Repair' option after hitting Enter at the 1st
screen? Don't use 'r' on that 1st screen.

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Bob Harris]

If no setup CDROM, how about a recovery CDROM? Most PCs with XP
pre-installed come with something to reset the PC to the day it was
purchased. A restoration CD is the most common option. Some PC makers
tried saving money (cost of one CD) by including an image of the CD on a
hidden partition on the hard drive. Then, their user support can tell you
how to access it, if required. Speaking of user support, have you tried
contacting the support group of whomever made the PC? Sometimes they can be
helpful. But, first spend a little time doing a search of their website.

One warning: Using a restoration CD usually erases all files, then resotres
only those that come with the PC. If you have any files worth saving, and
if they are not already saved outside of the PC (e.g., CD, DVD, ZIP, USB
hard drive), then you definitely want to save before restoring. To do that
you need to use something other than XP to boot the PC. I recommend
KNOPPIX, and bootable CD (or DVD), that runs LINUX, but does not write to
your hard drive. It can read NTFS as well as FAT32 partitions, and can copy
files from inside the PC to almost every current removeable media.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I can not start my computer running XP Home Edition. Computer bought in 2002
OEM loaded software. I do not have the "original setup CD-ROM.

message comes up at boot: "Windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrumpt: \windows\system\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."

What can I do to recover this computer??

Thanks in advance for any help

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Once you've recovered, you might want to look here, as well:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

I do not have the OEM CD. It was not supplied when I bought the computer.
It was a floor model, but I can complain. That was four years ago.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice. I bought the computer 4 years ago as a open box floor
model. It did not have any of the CDs that might generally come with a new
computer. I do have files on the HD that I need to save. Can I boot with a
W98 SE CD?

Thanks again

 

[Guest]

I tried that already and could not use the Guided help file, as the computer
would not boot off of that file. I do not have the XP boot disk, so I could
not try the manual steps either.

 

[Guest]

I do have a win98 disk. would it do any harm to try an boot from that?

Thanks for your help !!

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I do have a win98 disk. would it do any harm to try an boot from that?

Thanks for your help !!

Won't do any harm, but if the hard disk is formatted NTFS, it won't do you
any good at all. Win9x boot disks cannot access NTFS drives.

-pk

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I tried that already and could not use the Guided help file, as the computer
would not boot off of that file. I do not have the XP boot disk, so I could
not try the manual steps either.

In that case you'll have to find one to borrow, or move the drive to a
working XP install and fix it from there.

HTH
-pk