[TaraLeigh75]

I turn on my computer and I get a black screen that mentions
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with networking
Safe Mode with *something*

Last Configure type

When I try to get into any of these I get a notice that says:

WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM\ is missing.


I tried to do the Windows XP repair with the Boot Disk recovery but I have no idea what I'm supposed to do when I get into the HELP list.

I've made no changes to my system and loaded no new software.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Edited by TaraLeigh75, 27 August 2006 - 10:43 PM.

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Have you got an XP CD and know the product key

[Retired Tech]

Have you got an XP CD and know the product key

[TaraLeigh75]

Just the Boot Disk/DVD that comes with the system.
Application and Driver Recovery DVD
Docuentation Library.

I'm using a friend's computer to post this.

All the things that were in my box when I bought the computer new.

Edited by TaraLeigh75, 27 August 2006 - 10:47 PM.

[Retired Tech]

Sorry for the delay

Recovery CD's have varying capabilities, some will restore the system without too much disruption, others have a stock return to day one condition

Could you find out from the supplier what your recovery discs will do

[TaraLeigh75]

The recovery disks supposedly have a repair option, but I can't get into it.

[Retired Tech]

What make is the PC

Who supplied it

[TaraLeigh75]

Compaq presario w/ XP

[Retired Tech]

More than 300 products contain the term "compaq presario".
Could take a while

Can you let me know the model number please

http://welcome.hp.co.../prod_info.html

[TaraLeigh75]

Compaq Presario Notebook
R3000

[Retired Tech]

Sorry about this

» Compaq Presario R3000 (AMD) Notebook PC

» Compaq Presario R3000 (Intel) Notebook PC

» Compaq Presario R3000T Notebook PC

» Compaq Presario R3000Z CTO Notebook PC

[Retired Tech]

This is for R3000 Intel

It appears that if the process starts and you can choose R for standard recovery, things are fine, provided it finds the partition

Recovering from the recovery disks

The Windows operating system (OS) can be reinstalled, using the recovery disks, without destroying any existing programs or user data. This action is normally only performed if the PC does not start properly or does not boot into the Windows operating system.

To preserve the user data, copy or backup the user data to an external storage device before performing this task.

Do the following actions to reinstall the operating system from the set of recovery disks.

Connect PC to the AC power adapter.

Open the disk drive, insert the first disk in the set of recovery disks, and close the disk drive.

Turn off the PC.

Press the Power button to start the PC and immediately press the F11 key.

The PC begins operation from the disk and performs tests on the hard drive. After a short delay, a black screen, with a message, is displayed.

If the C:\ drive and the special recovery partition are intact, three options are available:

Press 'R' for standard System Recovery options

Press 'F' to format the hard drive and reinstall the original factory settings. All data will be lost!

Press 'Q' to Quit this menu.

WARNING: If the disk tests indicate that the operating system is not installed or the drive is corrupted, the only option presented is 'R' perform a full system recovery. This option will reformat the drive and destroy all the user data. See Before reformatting the hard drive for more information.

Select the standard System Recovery option by pressing R.

The recovery process will check for the presence of the recovery partition on the hard drive.

See Recovery CD Only Needs One CD to Recover for more information.

If the partition and the recovery files exist, the rest of the recovery process is performed from the hard drive, and none of the recovery disks is requested.

If the partition or the recovery files do not exist, prompts are displayed to insert or exchange disks as needed from the set of recovery disks.

When the OS is reinstalled and the PC re-starts, the programs and data files exist on the hard drive; however, clicking on the menu icons will not start the program. It is necessary to reinstall the programs using the original product disks.

You can check with them here

http://ipgweb.cce.hp...t....x=10&cc=us

[TaraLeigh75]

Thanks so much for your help, unfortunately we've gotten to the point where it might be more than that. We've brought it in for repairs with the warranty we have on the system.

Thank God for full coverage sometimes. I really appreciate all your help.
Thank you!

[Retired Tech]

Hope it goes well