\windows\system32\config\system Laptop Wont Boot

[DBALLARD87]

when ever i turn on my laptop i get .


windows could not start because the following file i mising or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

you can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the orginal setup CD-rom.
Selet "r" a the first sreen to start repair

so i went to the Windows site( http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545_ , and it said to type in a bunch of commands under repair, and i did, and it didn't work.... it still says that the system code is still missing or corrup

so if anyone knows how to fix this, it would be great... ive got my xp disc...

[tqp050774vp]

This is exactly what I found out at work today. It sounds ridiculous but the problem is memory stick. Try to swap with new memory stick to see if it fixes your problem, but it fixed mine.

[DBALLARD87]

yea i dont have a memory stick in mine thouh , so that wont do it..


thanks

anyone else

[Dexter]

Do a repair install from your OS CD.

You can also test the memory suggestion using Memtest:

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=276

Dexter...

[DBALLARD87]

the problem is i can't boot at all , and i went to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545&Product=winxp
and did one of the codes, and it said it was not valid, and i was trying to do whatevr i could to keep from losing my files.

so if anyone has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated

[Dexter]

the problem is i can't boot at all

Yes you can boot...or you would not have seen the error message. It depends on whether you define "boot" as powering up, or as loading the whole OS. You can boot the PC, you just cannot load the OS.

Your problem as you described it does not prevent you from trying the 2 suggestions I just presented.

So, boot the PC, stick the OS CD in, and reboot. It should boot up to the CD, and let you do a repair install.

Memtest, if you read the article, lets you create a BOOTABLE CD or flopppy, and then boot up from that and check the RAM.

And, FYI, I have seen that error message a few times before on different PC's, and that is how I have fixed it.


Dexter...

[binsoutonfriday]

the support article for corrupted registry does state that the procedure will not work on oem versions of windows.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

do you have a full xp cd .......or oem.............or a ghosted image (a la emachines)?

do you have anything on the hard-drive that is vitally important and not avaiailble anywhere other than on your hard drive?

[DBALLARD87]

the cd just says tgt it is the rinstillation cd, so i dont know know if it is the full xp cd. nd i the comp is a dell so i guess im lucky its not an emachine.... im really not sure what oem is... and i have alot of files only on this comp, or i would have already reinstalled windows.

[binsoutonfriday]

ok.

why not try the memtest thing that Dexter suggested.

take it one step at a time................

[DBALLARD87]

my memory was fine, and passed.... so any other ideas of what i should do ? i'm getting pretty desperate so any ideas.....


Thanks everyone for any time with helping

[Dexter]

OK, if you have a Dell laptop (or pretty much any laptop) then you do not have a regular OS CD. The install CD you have is basically a compressed image of your hard drive as it was when you bought it. If you reinstall from that you will loose all your files.

You are probably going to have to do one of the following:

1. Borrow a regular copy of XP from someone and do a repair install from it.

2. Remove the hard drive, connect it to another computer (a desktop system) and copy the needed file to the laptop hard drive.

3. Take the laptop in to a repair center and pay them to fix it. They will probably do one of the above two items to fix it and charge you $ 100.

Dexter...

[adodman]

I am having the very same problem with my daughters desktop computer. I have tried to repair the problem with the xp cd and it just hangs, with a black screen and doesn't move any further.
Short of throwing it out of the window I don't know what else to do.

[binsoutonfriday]

see Dexter's post above or.....................

reinstall windows.

reinstall av and firewall before going back online.

once online get all windows updates.. then update av and firewall defs.

if you have sp2 on a cd it can seriously speed up this process...........if you don't have it on cd then you can probably pick it up on the xp mag cover cd.