Windows XP Doesn't start up anymore

TheDark12TheDark12
edited July 2004 in Science & Tech
I have had a problem with my Windows XP partition. I recently re-installed Windows XP, shortly after (2-3 days) the computer started up, and went to a screen saying that; E:\Windows\System32\Config\System, had been corrupted and needed to be repaired. I figured since I had only installed recently, it might have been a glitch so I re-installed (over the windows folder) without formatting the drive. A few days later it happened again... So this time I reinstalled by formatting my Windows XP partition. A few days later, sure enough, the same error AGAIN.
What's confusing is, my hard drive is under 6 months old, and it's ALWAYS the same file that is being corrupted. If it's bad clusters, I would think that other files on the drive would be corrupted too...
I have tried using the last known good settings and nothing seems to work. Has anyone got experience in fixing a matter like this? Does anyone know what might be causing the problem? If anyone has had or seen this problem, please help me out.

Thanks,
-TheDark12

Note: My Windows 98 partition works perfectly fine, and nothing else seems to be wrong with anything else on the drive.

Comments

  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited July 2004
    It is a registry corruption.

    There is a digi-cam that needs drivers installed, that can result in a corrupt registry, but recovery is in fact a registry recovery, as at link below (all four parts, print it, then grab what you need of the linked to KB articles also). The instructions need to be followed EXACTLY, and if you have a computer that already had Windows XP installed on it, this may or may not work-- Microsoft says to contact computer mfr in this case, adn NOT try this, mostly due to the fact that OEMs can preinstall passwords on "preinstalled XP" boxes.

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

    The system file you are talking about is part of XP's registry. Problem is, you get to restore the whole thing, and if is happening just after a driver install, I would look for new drivers for that device, or if after software is installed, a new version of the software seems likely to be needed. Typically this is driver(s) or software install failure.
  • NomadNomad A Small Piece of Hell Icrontian
    edited July 2004
    Digital... Camera?
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited July 2004
    :wtf:

    Anyways....

    First check your memory. Download this, unzip it, and run install.bat. It will make a bootable floppy. Boot off that and let it run until all tests have completed (there are 7 in the basic test) if you have any errors, your memory needs to be replaced.
  • TheDark12TheDark12
    edited July 2004
    Thanks for your replies, but I worked out a way to fix it myself.

    For all those who experience this problem try the following:
    1. Either boot up to another Windows partition or the DOS Prompt
    2. Create a folder called 'tmp' in your .\Windows\System32\ folder
    3. Copy the 'system' file from .\Windows\System32\Config\ to .\Windows\System32\tmp
    4. Copy .\Windows\repair\system to .\Windows\System32\Config\
    5. Startup Windows normally.

    This probably won't work for everyone with this problem but it worked for me. If it doesn't work, restore the old system file from .\Windows\System32\tmp\ folder and try something different.
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