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General discussion

Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.

Mar 9, 2004 12:40PM PST

When i went to turn on my computer, which hasn't been off in weeks, the computer starts to boot up and gets past the bios screen(where it says to hit del to enter setup) A message comes up saying
"Windows could not start becuase 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 to start repair."

I put the cd in and hit enter and it just restarted and came back to this screen. I hit 'r' it does the same thing. Any button i hit it restarts it. I have it to boot from CD(3rd in list, first from HD then A: then CD). What can I do? PLEASE HELP ME!!! I deeply appreicate you for taking time to help me.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 5:32PM PST

Can you get into safe mode ? You will have to be quick to give that message no chance to appear by pressing F8 as soon as possible during POST/BIOS.

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Re:Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 10:48PM PST

I got to the menu where it allows you to choose the different safe-mode options. I chose start in safe mode and i got this.
"multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\hal.dll
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\KDCOM.DLL
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\BOOTVID.dll
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\config\system
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\config\system.alt"

Then the same message from the orignal message.
I tried to get in also safemode with command prompt but I got the same message.
Whats else is there to do? Only thing i can think of is getting another HD and make that slave and make the one i have now a slave. Then install XP Pro on the new HD and then access the HD that way and replace or repair that file, but this seems like a long process. If theres another way u can think of please let me know.

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 5:48PM PST

If your hard drive on which you installed WinXP is formatted as FAT32, then the process is rather easy. First of all, boot from the CD. Now in DOS, navigate to c:\windows\repair folder. There will be a file named system in this folder. It doesnt have any extension and is there for backup purposes. Copy this file to c:\windows\system32\config folder replacing the file already there. Now remove the CD from the drive and reboot. Hopefully the windows will start without any further problem. However, due to this process, windows will loose any previously user installed hardware drivers that you installed yourself. These may include Display drivers, printer drivers or joystick drivers, if any. However this isnt a serious problem.
If your hard drive is of type NTFS, then the only way to replace that file is to boot up from another OS installed on your hard disk (Which must be Win200/NT). If you dont have anyother OS , then i am afraid that you will need to re-install windows XP.

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Re:Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 10:54PM PST

I tried several times to boot from the cd it says at the bottom this screen.
"BOOT CD: " and thats it and goes back to the error message that appears in the main post. I have also tried to boot from disk and when I get to the command prompt I try to access my HD or CD it says invalid drive or filename. It stumps me becuase during the boot it shows that which HD and CD are installed and that means that the computer recognizes it.

If you can think of anything else please let me know I am 2 steps away from buying a new HD and making that my Master and make the old HD my slave and maybe getting to that HD from that way. But thats such a long and expensive route for me. Any help you can give is much aprecciated. Thanks!

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Re:Re:Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 11:06PM PST

Boot your computer from a bootable CD or floppy other than the XP setup disk. It should work. Also tell me whether your hard disk was of type NTFS or FAT32.

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Re:Re:Re:Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 10, 2004 11:06AM PST

I used a boot disk which I made from a computer also running XP Pro. I tried booting from disk and I was able to acces the command prompt. When i tried to access the C drive it wouldnt let me saying invalid drive or something like that. I type C: and also tried to reach my cd from here but after several tries I just kept on getting the same error message. I got hold of another HD and made the one that was orignally in the computer a slave and the new one a master. I got the same error again which I thought was totally weird. Ohh yeah my computer was formated as NTFS. Thank You so much for taking your time and helping me. Hopefully you can think of something that can help me out. Happy THANKS AGAIN!

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 8:28PM PST
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Missing or corrupt: ''\windows\system32\config\system''
Mar 9, 2004 8:50PM PST

1. The article [Q307545)] describes how to recover a system that does not start because of corruption in the registry and assumes that normal recovery methods have failed and access to the system is not available except by using Recovery Console. If an Automatic System Recovery (ASR) backup exists, it is the preferred method for recovery and it is recommended it be used before utilizing this procedure. This procedure does not guarantee full recovery of the system to a previous state; however, you should be able to recover data when used.

2. Automated (not Automatic) System Recovery (ASR) (Q818903) - used after all other attempts at recovery fail, or a damaged hard drive has been replaced. Previously used Backups sets must have been created using Automated System Recovery. It restores all disk signatures, volumes, and partitions on the disks required to start the computer. ASR then installs a simplified installation of Windows and automatically starts a restoration using the backup sets previously created. Not available on the XP Home Edition.

Note: Be advised, if a full backup has been performed after SP1 is installed, SP1 is then uninstalled, a restore is then performed, expect big troubles, [Q328035].

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 9, 2004 11:47PM PST

If I read your post correctly, you have the cd-rom in the third position in boot order. You need to change the cd-rom to the first position in the boot order.
Boot up with the cd in the drive.

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 10, 2004 1:09AM PST

When your compurter says hit del to enter setup hit del.
Then select startup with CD or something simuler.

I am only 11
If does not work
sorry
Thats all i got

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 11, 2004 12:53AM PST

Cursorcowboy has it right; You have to put CD first in the boot order - HD second - then . . .
Boot from from the XP CD:
Your hardware will be investigated.
1st screen - Windows loads files.
2nd screen - Welcome to Setup
Press 'Enter' to setup XP. (NOT 'R' to repair)
3rd screen - Licence conditions. Press F8 to accept.
4th screen - Select 'R' to repair the installed Windows.
This will appear to be a full install but it isn't. In about 30 minutes XP will reboot into your old desktop, and all your old files should still be available.
Unfortunately, SP1 and any other updates will have to be re-installed. I hope you burnt them all to a CD!

There will be several black screens during the repair, but don't worry, and you may get warnings that some drivers have not passed Windows logo testing but if they worked OK before - select 'Install'
On the reboot ignore the "Press any key to reboot from the CD" and XP will reboot after a few seconds.

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Re:Can't Boot XP due to missing file // MAJOR HELP needed PLZ.
Mar 11, 2004 8:04AM PST

From what i saw in a few pots up, he installed XP on another HD as well. This therefore does not sound like an XP software issue. I think he has hardware problems.
-Patrick