[chrisusvi]

Hi,

I have an HP zv5000 and it started up with a message that says,
"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."

So I did that with my original Setup disc, it started to load stuff on a blue screen and then the message at the bottom said that it was starting windows, but it gave me a black screen with about a dozen choices of what to do next.
I don't know which one to choose. The other alternative was to press 'enter' and partition the drive. I don't know whether to do the partitioning or not.
Is there a choice in the list that I can choose?

Help Help

chrisusvi

 

[JimE]

You don't want to partition...if you partition or format all of your data will be lost.

 

[deleted010511]

Try to do a Repair install. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[chrisusvi]

Is there a way to fix the windows startup registry without having to backup or remove the hardrive? I'm sensing that the problem with my computer is become a grave situation. Is this really this bad.

chrisusvi

 

[JimE]

Assuming it is only a registry issue, you could simply try to restore.

As soon as the system starts to boot-up keep 'intermittently' pressing F8

The first option to try is the, "Start the PC using Last Known Good Configuration"

If that doesn't work, then from the same Boot Menu, see if you can start it in "Safe Mode with Command Prompt".

At the prompt, type: %SystemRoot%\System32\Restore\rstrui.exe

then press "Enter".
This will open the normal System Restore window from which you may be able to restore your computer to an earlier working version.

 

[chrisusvi]

The last known configuration doesn't work.

I tried doing the 'safe mode with command prompt' and when it starts running the list, it stops at 'multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\config\system.alt'

After a minute or so, the other message that pops up is original message that 'windows could not start because the following file is missing or currupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM'

Then it asks me to use the original Setup CD-ROM and select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

I hope this isn't getting too serious.:4-dontkno

chrisusvi

 

[JimE]

Booting from the XP CD and selecting "r", is the Windows Repair console. It will reinstall any system files that are missing or invalid. If that doesn't work, you will have to reinstall XP.

 

[deleted010511]

As stated before, Try to do a Repair install. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm. You will not loose any files.

 

[chrisusvi]

Before I try the Michael Stevens tech procedure. I put the recovery CD in and it ran the repair. I am a black screen now and its asking me 'Which Windows installation would you like to log onto <To cancel, press ENTER>? One line before that sits a line that says:
'1: C:\WINDOWS' by itself.
I entered '1' and pressed enter, the next line that comes up is C:\WINDOWS\
This is what confuses me. Is there something that I am supposed to type in? I typed 'help' and it gave me a long list of options.

 

[deleted010511]

at the C:\Windows prompt type chkdsk /r

 

[chrisusvi]

It seems to be working. Does it take a while? What should happen after this is completed?

 

[deleted010511]

It will try and correct any files that are corrupted, It may ask you if you want Windows to correct some files, and you will have to type Y for yes.

 

[chrisusvi]

Its at 50% now.

 

[chrisusvi]

Thanks you Spike2Me. ray: You are a life saver. It started up just fine when it finished.

chrisusvi:grin: