This is what I have done.
I used a boot floppy--developed using Windows XP Home--to get to the "boot device menu."
"Onboard SATA hard drive cannot boot my computer. I can run the "Sytem Setup."
I have ran the "Hard Drive Diagnostics," and the "...Drive 0: ST3160023AS - Pass."
I have also ran the "Boot to Utility Partition" and checked the hardware items of the system--the Hard Drive also "Passed."
On the "Onboard or USB CD ROM Drive," using teh Windows XP Pro CD, it gives three options: (a)Set up Windows XP, (b) Repair windows using recovery console, or c-quit set up. I attempted choice (a), and it did not work. Set up did not recognize a hard drive. I tried choice (b)--after reboot--it took me back to A prompt. Oh yes, I do not have an Automated Recovery System disk (I did not know I need this this.).
I also check the current "partition" of the hard drive via FDISK (It has three. I am not sure what it all mean.):
Partition "1" Type = Non-DOS (39 MB) and 0 %; Partition "2" "NTFS" 14882 MB System 9 and 98 %; partition "3" CP/M 371 MB Syste 8 and 2 %.
How do I fix this? "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \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 appreciate any help. Thanks.
Dan