Lost an important System File and Windows can't start without it?

Question

When I turn on the pc it shows a black screen and says that windows can't start because there's a system file missing. I don't have the startup disks of the pc... If I buy a new Windows XP package and install it, with the pc as it is, will it work?

Answer 1

u just need the disk to fix the damaged file so u don't really need to buy it, just borrow the CD from one of u'r friends and fix the file and return the CD

Answer 2

Yes it will work but that is going the long way around.

Take the hard drive out and plug it in as an auxillary to another computer (notice I said auxillary). With the system file it is missing, just copy and paste from the main hard drive your using to read the auxillary. System files go in the System32 folder; so you could find it and copy and paste into there.

If you need help with this, let me know.. done it dozens of times.

[e-mail]

Answer 3

Try getting into Safe Mode and run a Windows Repair.

To get into Safe Mode:
Restart your computer
As soon as you see the system trying to load (it will probably be black and white) and before Windows tries to load, press and hold the F8 key. Continue holding it down until you see a black and white DOS menu. I think Safe Mode is F3.

Once you are in Safe Mode, hopefully you can restore your system to a time when Windows worked. Here is information on Windows Repair:

WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

When you exit Safe Mode, your desktop icons will probably be out of order. Just drag them back into place.

Answer 4

That window you see is because Microsoft pulled the needing file because your copy of windows is registered to another person. You have to buy a unregistered version of windows and reinstall it.

Answer 5

yes it will work,
but if you know what file is missing
you can copy it from another pc
but you need to attach your hard drive to another pc
(it work with my pc)
if its too complicated for you just install new one, or repair it