[neatfreak]

Hi, I feel like there's a lot of information out there regarding my particular problem (I guess I'm not alone!) but couldn't fix my computer with the solutions provided so I'm stretching my arm again for additional help.

When I reboot my computer, the first screen shows up with the company logo and then I get two messages. One says \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is either missing or corrupt and the other says press 'r' to repair.

When I hit 'r', it reboots itself but returns to the same message and will not go any further. I changed my boot order from CD to HDD and it tries to boot from CD, but I always end up getting the two error messages.

All was fine until this started to happened a few days ago. Since then I repartitioned my HD and attempted to reinstall Windows XP using the CD I got when I received the machine but none to avail.

BTW, there are no beeps coming from POST. So I think it's failing that test to begin with. I opened the box and rechecked all my connections but unfortunately, I don't have any spare components to switch out the current ones to test if they are in working order or not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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With the XP CD you have to press a key to start it off otherwise it will boot off the hard drive again.

[Neil Jones]

With the XP CD you have to press a key to start it off otherwise it will boot off the hard drive again.

[neatfreak]

Thank you, Neil Jones for your suggestion.
Which key would that be?

[Broni]

Start the computer with the CD in, and when you see this:
Press any key to boot from CD
...press some key.