[calliopejen]

I run Windows XP Home SP3, and my computer is suddenly not booting, with the error "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system". I tried to do a repair reinstall, but it didn't recognize my previous Windows installation. I also ran the diagnostic thing that comes up at startup, and I got a DST short status test failure, error 1000-0142 (unit 4 drive self test failed, status byte = 79). I am currently running a chkdisk /p /r through my repair console and will post the results here when I am done. (I will be extremely pissed if my hard drive is dying. It's only a few months old!)

I have read through a lot of forums about this corrupt registry error, and most point to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545 . But that site warns about using their technique when all you have is an OEM CD. Even so, I have seen some comments here and there saying not to worry, it works anyways. Is this something I should try anyways? It sounds perilous judging by the Microsoft support site. And of course, all I have is Dell's "Reinstallation CD" with SP2. Is there another problem using an SP2 disk to repair my SP3 Windows installation? I haven't seen much out there about using OEM CDs, or the SP2/SP3 issue, so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited by calliopejen, 15 March 2009 - 04:14 PM.

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Okay, just did chkdsk. It says it repaired one or more corrupt files, but I still am having the same problem with not booting.

[calliopejen]

Okay, just did chkdsk. It says it repaired one or more corrupt files, but I still am having the same problem with not booting.

[Broni]

1. If you have Windows CD, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp

2. If you don't have Windows CD...
Download Windows Recovery Console: http://www.thecomput...om/files/rc.iso
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.c...hp?act=download
Using Imgburn, burn rc.iso to a CD.
Boot to the CD...let it finish loading.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Then, follow the steps from here: http://icrontic.com/...pair_windows_xp, starting below this picture on page 1: