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General discussion

Restore CD missing

Feb 5, 2004 8:17AM PST

What is a person to do when Windows XP won't start? My daughter has a Dell Dimension that comes up with a message that Windows can't start because config.sys is missing. She has not been able to find the Dell restore CD and apparently Dell was no help.

Discussion is locked

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Re:Restore CD missing
Feb 5, 2004 8:30AM PST

1. XP doesn't use config.sys

2. Dell will sell you replacement restore CDs. While it may seem odd, it's all part of the same issue of what happens when you lose your car keys.

Tell more and get that CD on its way. Given the cost of blank CD's, I'd make a copy for that rainy day.

Bob

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Re:Re:Restore CD missing
Feb 5, 2004 11:50AM PST

That is the error message. Dell says that the restore CD for this model is no longer available.

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You didn't share the model, but in that case, go get a full copy.
Feb 5, 2004 11:57AM PST

You can get such from many places. Drivers and more should be collected for the re-install.

While XP does not use CONFIG.SYS, so it still remains up for discussion if there was some other message that could be helpful in fixing the machine.

Bob

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Re:You didn't share the model, but in that case, go get a full copy.
Feb 6, 2004 5:48AM PST

I believe that it is a Dimension 4200. Is it possible to do a repair to the OEM OS with a full version CD? The full error message is that Windows could not start because C:/windows/system32/config.sys was corrupted or missing.

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Re:Re:You didn't share the model, but in that case, go get a full copy.
Feb 6, 2004 6:09AM PST

"The full error message is that Windows could not start because C:/windows/system32/config.sys was corrupted or missing."

My bet is that the error message is more like "a file named system(no extension) in the directory windows/system32/config"

Your old windows knowledge may be helping here too much. Sadly, without the XP CD, you can't fix it like we read at http://www.examnotes.net/article60980.html

Bob

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Re:Re:Re:You didn't share the model, but in that case, go get a full copy.
Feb 17, 2004 11:24AM PST

What about trying safe mode?

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Re:Restore CD missing
Feb 17, 2004 11:35AM PST

Are you able to get to the boot menu (F8 while booting up) and then choose "...last good configuration.." ?