On the second or third screen after i turn the computer on, i get an error that says: "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\syste... ". It will not go past that screen. I tried putting in a disk to clear the harddrive, but nothing happened. I have also tried putting a an XP disk, but same thing. The OS that is currently on there is XP Pro. How to i go about fixing this? I didn't delete the file, i am actually trying to fix it for someone else (and they don't know what happened to it). Or could the hard drive have gone out of it? Anything will help.
2006-08-11 02:56:45 · 6 answers · asked by mw_03_2004 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Try this,
Windows XP Repair Installation
At some point you may need to repair the installation of Windows XP. This is preferable to a clean install in many cases since it attempts to only repair your copy of windows without having to delete all the files on your computer first. In many cases a repair installation is enough to fix the problem. A repair install deletes the files normally installed by windows XP and then reinstalls them off the disc. A repair install will not rebuild your computer's registry, delete applications and user settings, or fix problems caused being caused by a program.
1. First you have to boot the computer with the Windows XP cd in the cd tray. You will see a black screen and it will ask you to press any key to boot from the cd so press the spacebar and your computer will boot from the CD.
2. After a moment you will be taken to the Windows XP Setup screen. Though the second option says to repair do not press R. Instead press enter to select the setup for Windows XP.
3. Next, you have to accept the license agreement from windows. Once you've done that it will search for your existing installation of windows.
4. Once it has finished detecting the installation you need to select the XP installation you want to repair. You can repair the installation by pressing R. If you don't see the repair option you will need to do a clean installation. Your version of windows may have been damaged in a way that it cannot carry out a repair.
5. Setup will then copy the files it needs to the hard drive and reboot the computer. A message will come up asking you if you want to boot from the cd, don't press any keys and just let the timer run out. The set up will continue and look like is doing a clean install but all of your applications and settings will be intact when it finished.
An important note is to not activate your windows over the internet right away. Always enable the XP firewall to protect yourself.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-11 03:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have good answers here, but I'm wondering if you have a "system restore" set.
After learning the hard way, I now establish a "system restore" at a time when things are running smoothly and definitely before installing a new program. Then, if things get messed up, you can return to an earlier time.
2006-08-11 10:08:50 · answer #2 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have the windows reboot disc handy use that and follow the instructions. It'll take about 30mins. However depending on what the file is you might loose all your stored data
2006-08-11 10:09:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atfirst put the cd of windows in cd rom.Then click the repair option.
2006-08-11 10:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by sam 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can't you use the back up floopydisk you should of made.failing that,use your original windows disk to relocate the missing files
2006-08-11 10:08:21 · answer #5 · answered by kevin m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are going to have to either restore it or run a repair option using xp disk.
2006-08-11 10:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by malung786 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋