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General discussion

Windows Vista won't boot after Boot Manager Screen

Aug 4, 2010 12:33AM PDT

system configuration
Dell Laptop Model-Studio 1555
320HD, 4gb ram, 512mb ATI Mobility Raedon 4570

After the dell Logo it goes into loading loading the OS but displays>>>
WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT,
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM 32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

and some error with 0x.....(i couldn't get the whole set)

Here's how this started

>i got a Blue screen of death(Dumping physical Memory for a while...counting up to 100)
>it did restart on its own and was working fine for a while then started freezing when running firefox 3.6.3 and dc++ .75
>i did a system format and reinstalled windows vista 64 bit
>freezing did not seem to go away
>after a while i inserted the system DVD of vista 64bit and restarted the laptop...i did press F2-Setup and realized that i had to press F12-boot options and by accident pressed F12...
>it froze there and after that i had to press the power button to shut it down
>i thought system freezing may be due to a virus since AVG can't seem to detect many...so i uninstalled it which needed a system reboot before i could install Norton 2010
>i tried to reboot the system and after a while it froze again...this time when i restarted i got a blank screen...
when i reboot the system i went into safe mode and disabled graphic(ATI catalyst) and audio driver(IDT)
>after this my system ran normal for a while but when i checked my event viewer it had these errors and warning from the last time of re-installation of the OS

event ID
Atapi 11
Time Service 134
Wmi 10
User Profile Service 1530
Http Event 15016
Plug Play Man 263

>i inserted the vista 64 DvD and tried to format it but i wasn't able to go either into system BIOS or Boot options
>after my system was up and running i did a reinstall over the drive which had the OS...but the problem did not seem to go away
>i couldn't access the folder which had Norton 2010 as it was displaying an I/O error
>i tried USB port for Pan-Drive but it was asking for device driver...so i couldn't use these
>my CD-ROM wasn't recognizing any CD/DVD except the one's provided by DELL...so it was out of option
>i ran DC++ (had trouble to run internet), got Norton2010 trial and installed it...when i run the scan...for an hour it was
item scanned 0
threat detected 0
............... 0

i tried to close it but it froze and i had to use the power button.

Now>>>
in windows boot manager it shows windows vista home but when i try to load the OS it gives this message
WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM 32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I have spent a weak to get a solution to this as my Laptop is out of Warranty
Does this mean...
1.my CD drive was close to out of order when i installed windows and problems started due to that?
2.problem with BIOS or Motherboard?
3.problem with my Hard Drive?


Please someone help me...any help will be appreciated..thanx

Discussion is locked

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The I/O error
Aug 4, 2010 12:39AM PDT

The I/O error and that nearly out of order CD drive would have me replace the CD drive first. Reinstall from the Dell CDs and then see how things stand.
Bob

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replying to R.Proffitt
Aug 4, 2010 12:48AM PDT

>The I/O error and that nearly out of order CD drive would have me replace the CD drive first. Reinstall from the Dell CDs and then see how things stand.
>Bob

I can't boot my system and access BIOS so if I happen to change my CD drive will I be able to run the OS...?

thnx

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Having seen this too often.
Aug 4, 2010 12:55AM PDT

What you find is most owners are reluctant to replace an old CD/DVD drive. I can't explain why. But we only need to wait until they soften up. Yes we'll try the CD/DVD lens cleaner but that's it.

As to accessing the BIOS I find the usual is the owner forgot how. If it really was inaccessible then the only cause I find is a failed keyboard. Even on a laptop those are well under 99 bucks and worth replacing.

Again, I'm sure folk don't want the hardware to get old and fail but it does. The magic is how to get it swapped out without having to have the long discussions of "can it be anything else?" We finally solved that by instituting a minimum shop charge. Otherwise folks would want to talk about it for hours.
Bob

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replying to myself
Aug 4, 2010 12:40AM PDT

In addition to above said things...
>I cannot go into safe mode or last known best configuration(advanced) anymore...all the while it just reverts to windows boot manager...no beeps so far

thanx