XP System won't boot- Is system restore needed

[geno368]

I am working on an XP-sp2 Dell Dimension system and I get the following message:
"Windows could not open because the following file was missing or corrupt...\windows\system32\config\system"

Is there any other way to fix this other than system restore so I don't loose all the files and programs I have installed since I bought this about 5 years ago?
Thanks

[XtabbedoutX]

Give this a try. This should get you up and running with out having to do a clean install.

How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?

Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to this article.

1. When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

2. Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.

3. Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.

4. In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

5. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

[Domiy]

Although there is another more precise method of doing it. When you turn your PC on, press F5 continually and then choose Safe Mode from the list of options that appear. While in Safe Mode, go to Start>Run and then type in CMD and press Enter. When the black box opens, type in sfc and press enter again. Then type in sfc /scannow exactly how I just typed it in and then press Enter. Provided that you have your XP CD on you, insert it when prompted and this will then perform a registry scan and fines all broken/missing registry keys and replaces them so you can get your PC working again. Restart in normal mode once your done.

[geno368]

I did change the boot sequence, but it seems that the system never would recognize the drive..what can I do about that? Thanks

[geno368]

Domiy, isn't it true that the f5 only works when windows is beginning to startup? I am only getting the Dell start screen for a few seconds before error message.
Thanks

[CarefreeComp]

Repairing the window with the recovery console may delete the user database from the registry. All the users files should be intact but they may need to be recreated once the reinstall has finished.

[XtabbedoutX]

geno368,

Give my suggestion a try. That should repair windows to a bootable state and we can go from there.

[OutlawTechie]

Hi Geno,

XtabbedoutX is right, those steps will repair your Windows installation but there may be a loss of installed progs, temporary internet files like cookies, outlook emails/settings, msn login credentials etc etc. As well as ISP settings, so you'll have to reinstall using your CD which is the main hassle with my customers!

In fact there are many ways to salvage yoru existing installation (such as using CHKDSK /R in the Recovery Console).

However, if you can get into the computer in "safe mode" (keep tapping F5 and F8 when you turn the computer on) then you may be able to repair it yourself with only minimal impact.

The problem with the drive could be associated with this. Open the computer up and remove the IDE cable from either the mainboard (motherboard) or the CD-ROM. The IDE cable looks like a ribbon cable - if your looks different then it is SATA.

If you can get in in safe mode, post back and I'm sure people will suggest the way to go from there.

[XtabbedoutX]

Originally Posted by OutlawTechie

Hi Geno,


In fact there are many ways to salvage yoru existing installation (such as using CHKDSK /R in the Recovery Console).

However, if you can get into the computer in "safe mode" (keep tapping F5 and F8 when you turn the computer on) then you may be able to repair it yourself with only minimal impact.

Please read All posts. User cannot get any farther than the Dell Splash screen.

[OutlawTechie]

Originally Posted by XtabbedoutX

Please read All posts. User cannot get any farther than the Dell Splash screen.

Lol, I did read all posts silly billy.. If Windows is trying to load then the computer is trying to boot. Not only that, people who are "computer illiterate" ofter explain things wrongly. Its always best to start from scratch and not assume anything. So why not give safe mode a try?

Surely it would be better to repair a minor boot problem, rather than to overwrite the existing files - thats the easy way out and ofter requires a lot of work by the user afterwards installing everything again.
---
Geno - let us know if you can get into safe mode. Or if not, let us know how the repair goes.

[XtabbedoutX]

Originally Posted by geno368

Domiy, isn't it true that the f5 only works when windows is beginning to startup? I am only getting the Dell start screen for a few seconds before error message.
Thanks

[OutlawTechie]

Originally Posted by XtabbedoutX

Please read All posts. User cannot get any farther than the Dell Splash screen.

And????? I think safe mode is an option - it only takes a few seconds to try!