[skaterperson]

hello,

I would appreciate help from someone on my problem with windows XP. Well heres the situatuion: I turn on the computer and before the welcome message comes up which asks you to log on to a certain account , i recieve a black screen with the message:

'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-Rom.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair'


I have tried the suggested resolution but to no avail as windows does not load far enough to load a disc.
i hope i am not wasting your time if this is just easily fixable and im being stupid
Thanks... heres a picture.

Edited by skaterfag, 19 April 2006 - 12:39 PM.

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it is not easily fixable--it is a true and complete pain in the butt to fix

Microsoft has instructions on how to fix this

http://support.micro...om/?kbid=307545

Under step 5, you will see multiple steps for fixing different registry hives...since only SYSTEM is corrupt, you can shorten it to

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system


and then shorten the other lengthy steps in parts 2 and 3 to only address the SYSTEM hive

[gerryf]

it is not easily fixable--it is a true and complete pain in the butt to fix

Microsoft has instructions on how to fix this

http://support.micro...om/?kbid=307545

Under step 5, you will see multiple steps for fixing different registry hives...since only SYSTEM is corrupt, you can shorten it to

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system


and then shorten the other lengthy steps in parts 2 and 3 to only address the SYSTEM hive

[skaterperson]

Thanks for the fast reply but i have a problem already... this is taken from the microsoft guide you gave me:

To complete part one, follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.

When i insert the disc and reboot nothing happens. no 'welcome to setup screen appears. The only welcome to setup screen i can see is the first screen which says dell. Ive hosted a little movie to help explain. I press 'r' repeatedly throughout but it does nothing. (its only 15secs long)

Thanks
(and thankyou for changing my name, sorry if it was unappropriate)

Edited by skaterperson, 19 April 2006 - 01:11 PM.