I have a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop with Windows XP Pro service pack 1 (according to Dell when I provided them with the service tag #). It's pentium 4 if it makes a difference.
When I turn it on, I immediately get message:
"The following file is missing or corrupt \Windows\System32\Config\System" and am promptedto insert the boot CD that came with the computer and press 'r' to repair. I don't have the CD for that computer, but my friend has a dell 3100 E310 resource CD that reinstalls software and device drivers. His version of XP is different than mine though. Will this CD work?
When I got the error message, I pressed ESC and the "dell" page opens like the computer is booting to windows, but then the error comes back up. I've also pressed ESC again and separately tried F12 and F2 to see if I can boot in safe mode, but don't see the option for safe mode.
I saw a thread that sounds fool proof. Should I follow the following guide?http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repair-c-windowssystem32configsys-t273466.html
Please let me know if you need further information that will help you determine the correct course of action for repair.
Thank You