Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

Missing or corrupt "WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM


  • Please log in to reply

#1
soladan

soladan

    New Member

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 1 posts
I have a Dell Dimension 8400 (March 2005) with a 160 GB SATA HD and Windows XP Pro. This is what I get when I turn on my computer: "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."

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
  • 0

Advertisements







Similar Topics

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP