Here's a challenge and a half....I need serious help with my computer at home....?

Question

I turned on my home pc yesterday and got first ~ the safe mode, etc screen asking what I want to do. I clicked start up normally and tried previous configuration settings. Both times I got a blue screen saying Cannot load file:systemroot\system32\config\software.It is corrupt, absent, or not writable. Beginning dump of physical memory. Physical memory dump complete. Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.!!! That does NOT sound good. The day before the pc was fine?? Who do I call?? I tried to call DELL & after waiting for a person for 40 minutes, I had to hang up!! Is this something someone can help me with by telling me here what to do?? I am at a total loss & freaking out!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!!! THANK YOU !!!!
P.S. Is this as bad as it sounds? Is it something I did to the pc?

Answer 1

This isn't necessarily something you did, but rather something the PC did to itself. Rarely, a problem with the system memory or hard drive can cause data or files to get corrupted which Windows relies on to function. When this happens it can make Windows unable to boot up because it can't load pristine versions of those files.

From that initial menu, select "Safe Mode" as the bootup choice, and once you get to Windows, click on Start => Run, and type the following:

sfc /scannow

This will run the Windows "system file checker" which goes through the Windows files and verifies their integrity. Pop the Windows CD into the drive, it'll need this to refer to as it runs if it finds files that have indeed been corrupted.

If this doesn't work, you could try what's referred to as a "repair install" of Windows XP, which is a process to reinstall Windows but leaves your program settings and data largely intact; it just overhauls Windows itself not your stuff. Below is a link to that process:

Answer 2

Sounds like a portion of your Windows registry got corrupted and that is a majorly big deal. There are ways that you can try to fix it, but unless you are particularly tech savvy, they can be a bit tedious and may or may not work for you. It might be easier to try and back up your data and just restore your system to the way it was when you opened the box. (That is probably what Dell tech support would have you do anyway...after you wait for an hour on the phone.)

It sounds like your hard drive is intact but your Windows is messed up. You should be able to hook that hard drive to another machine to get your data off, then format the drive and start over. You should have gotten documentation with your machines that tells you how to do a system restore (or you could call Dell back and have them walk you through it.)

Answer 3

Well I don't envy you...a corrupt systemroot can never be a good thing.
Are you currently on this pc??
You can always system restore(reformat)you will loose all your personal files that way though.
if you are like me otherwise figuring it out may seem hopeless.
I do know of a forum that does just this stuff, free PC help. I have used them and they have saved me more then I like to mention.
You will need to set up a free account and depending how busy it may take a bit for them to get back to you but they alway pull me through when I am pulling my hair out !!!
http://www.geekstogo.com/
Good Luck hope this is some help

Answer 4

If you inset a windows xp cd and boot from it. Then select install when it shows the list of partitions. Select repair and it will fix the problem by recopying the damaged file. Also if you can get to the console mode on the boot up screen there is a command prompt command that will repair the files.

Answer 5

Sounds like they are just going to tell you to re-load your PC from scratch. If you need to retrieve any info, you can try taking the system somewhere to get the info backed up before over-writing everything. You might also want them to check out your harddrive to make sure its OK. If your PC is still under warranty, have Dall send you a new drive.

Answer 6

You might try booting off your restore CD if you have one. Once there look and you can try and do a repair of the operating system. Personally though I would recommend finding a computer person you trust and let them look at it IF you have any data on this computer you want to save. They should be able to back up your files before they attempt to repair the operating system. BTW Dell cares NOTHING about your data, so if you want to save it get a local person to do it.

Answer 7

try bringing your pc back to yesterday.. in options on startup, you can set it to a earlier date

itll set ur pc to before you had a problem hopefully

Answer 8

if it continues to give you the blue screen of death (BSOD), try to listen closely to your hard drive. sometimes you can hear it click right before you get the BSOD. if so, then most likely you have a hard drive malfunction and need to replace it.

Answer 9

u have to reinstall the OS on it again. message me if u need more help...

Answer 10

get back on the phone to india