XP Pro Startup Problem

[L. Arellano]

Hi,
While recently surfing the net, my PC froze up. After
waiting a few minutes, I did a hard shutdown. Upon
restarting it, I now get a startup error message stating
the following: Missing or corrupted file:
\windows\system32\config\system. It suggests that I
repair the file by booting w/ my WinXP CD. I went into
the BIOS and set my 1st boot option to 'ATAPI CD-ROM,'
but it doesn't seem to help because I just end up getting
the same error! I hear the CD-ROM spinning but nothing
happens... Any input/suggestions would be greatly
appreciated. L.Arellano

 

[RonK]

Watch the screen and hit a key when you see that prompt to boot from the cd.

 

[Drew Tognola]

L.Arellano,
Without being at your computer it's hard to tell what's happening. Do other
CD's play? Also, check your disk for errors if you haven't already.

* click the 'My Computer' icon on your Desktop
* right-click on 'C' drive & click 'Properties'
* click 'Tools' tab
* under 'Error-checking' heading click 'Check Now'
Drew

 

[Kelly]

In Recovery Console:

Type cd sytem32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

Depending on your error message, use as follows:

Next type: ren software software.bak and then press ENTER.

or:

type ren system system.bak and then press ENTER.

Next type:

copy c:\windows\repair\software , and then press ENTER.

or:

copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

Exit, reboot.

More info here:

Recovering XP using the Recovery Console (Line 333) right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

 

[Guest]

Hi Kelly,

Thx for responding. In your reply, you state 'in the
recovery console.' Herein lies one of my probs -- I never
installed that option at startup and when choosing to
boot from the CD-ROM first (in bios), it either 1.)
doesn't work at all; or 2.) just isn't responding to the
CD. This is a WinXP Pro upgrade CD. FYI -- I tried
choosing 'boot from CD-ROM' on my wife's PC (this one)
and it also does not respond to the upgrade CD (says to
load a system disk?). My question... is there someway to
manually enter/start the recovery console (if it indeed
is located on the upgrade CD?). Another response would be
greatly appreciated... Thx. L.

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome. Follow these steps:

Boot from the XP Home boot Floppies:
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q310994

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307654

Using Recovery Console
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmc_str_bjid.asp





Hi Kelly,

Thx for responding. In your reply, you state 'in the
recovery console.' Herein lies one of my probs -- I never
installed that option at startup and when choosing to
boot from the CD-ROM first (in bios), it either 1.)
doesn't work at all; or 2.) just isn't responding to the
CD. This is a WinXP Pro upgrade CD. FYI -- I tried
choosing 'boot from CD-ROM' on my wife's PC (this one)
and it also does not respond to the upgrade CD (says to
load a system disk?). My question... is there someway to
manually enter/start the recovery console (if it indeed
is located on the upgrade CD?). Another response would be
greatly appreciated... Thx. L.

 

[Patrick]

You don't need to have the recovery console installed
Just boot from windows XP cd and on the first menu choose repair
then you can go to the directory in problem and rename the file in problem.

Patrick
http://www.infoabsolu.com