Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: shecouldbme on July 22, 2009, 12:40:56 PM
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I have a Dell computer, and running Windows XP. I have had it for 4 years, and have never had a virus or had to reformat the hard drive.
Now, today, when I start it I get the message,
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
/WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM
You can attempt to repair this by starting windows setup using the original setup CD Rom
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repairI pressed 'r" and nothing happens
I pressed Ctrl and f11 and it says it cannot restore
I put the CD I got with the computer, but it won't let it start up. All I get when I turn the computer on is a black screen with that message.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I am taking college classes online and I really really need this computer to work! :'(
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I would start with this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
BTW: I assume you are using a different computer to access this forum?
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Yes I am using a different computer. It won't let me get past the black screen to access anything. I even have Norton Go Back and tried that but it says there was no where to go back to.
I'm so bummed...I got 3 more courses in college yet to do...I really needed this computer to last at least until I was done.
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You have to change your boot order to enable you to boot from your disk.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorderchange.htm
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I really thought that might work out, but it didn't. I did change the sequence and had the CD rom first, but it still wouldn't boot from it.
I would get this message:
Alert! OS Install Mode enabled. Amount of available memory limited to 256MB.
Strike the F1 to continue, F2 to run the set up utility.
So, I tried F1 first....and it would try to reboot but came up with the original screen and message about missing or corrupt file.
Then I tried F2...and it just took me back to the utility setup again.
Thanks for trying to help me though I really appreciate all the time.
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http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/SC1425/en/it/j3350c20.htm
Scroll half-way down to "System Messages".
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Thanks for replying.
I went in and read what you sent me, but I did go into the setup utilities and turned the os install off but when it would reboot it would be right back on with the same message.
Thanks for trying though.
After running back through my mind, the night before this happened, I had my office 2007 freeze up on me, and I hit the ctrl alt delete to close the programs. it wasn't closing them, so I went into processes and clicked on dump? which was running and ended that process. I wonder if I ended something else which might of caused this problem? Who knows...teach me to mess with stuff I don't know.
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That shouldn't mess anything up, because it simply shut down some process for the current Windows session.
What is the CD, you're trying to boot with?
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I have tried two different CD's one came with my dell and one came with my hubby's dell laptop.
first one says: Operating system for reinstalling DVD and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2
second one came with my dell computer :
Drivers and Utilities for reinstalling V.9x(Capable) 56K Data/Fax Modem Software for Microsoft Windows.
I have a third one that I haven't tried to install that says:
Application for reinstalling CyberLink Power DVD 5.3 1012 software
I didn't get a operating CD with my desktop computer like the hubby got with his dell. Could that be the problem?? ???
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Operating system for reinstalling DVD and Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2
You can't run Windows repair with the above CD.
Did the above CD come with your Dell? Is your Windows XP, Media Center Edition version?
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I have no clue...
I just found a paper that says my computer doesn't come with an operating system cd or drivers cd. It says if I ever need to reinstall software I need to either order a copy of the operating cd or drivers or a Microsoft windows system restore or dell pc restore.
*censored*....that sucks...I've had this computer for 4 years, so I guess I shouldn't complain...probably extinct now and can't get the software...ha ha
Thanks for helping me out!
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Contact Dell, you might be surprised. They do have good customer support and may still have a copy of the software. They usually only charge shipping on older machines software.
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If you have Windows CD...(if you don't have Windows CD, scroll down <-----you)
1. Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD and assure that your CD-ROM drive is capable of booting the CD.
2. Once you have booted from CD, do NOT select the option that states: Press F2 to initiate the Automated System Recovery (ASR) tool.
You’re going to proceed until you see the following screen, at which point you will press the “R” key to enter the recovery console:
(http://icrontic.com/draco/images/articles/repairing_windows_xp_in_eight_commands/xp_src_welcome.gif)
3. After you have selected the appropriate option from step two, you will be prompted to select a valid Windows installation (typically number “1″).
Select the installation number, and hit Enter.
If there is an administrator password for the administrator account, enter it and hit Enter (if asked for the password, and you don't know it, you're out of luck).
You will be greeted with this screen, which indicates a recovery console at the ready:
(http://icrontic.com/draco/images/articles/repairing_windows_xp_in_eight_commands/xp_src_console.gif)
4. There are eight commands you must enter in sequence to repair your problem..
NOTE. Make sure, you press Enter after each command. Make sure, all commands are exact, including "spaces".
These commands are as follows:
CD..
ATTRIB -H C:\boot.ini
ATTRIB -S C:\boot.ini
ATTRIB -R C:\boot.ini
del boot.ini
BOOTCFG /Rebuild
Note about the above command.
BOOTCFG /REBUILD command which searches for pre-existing installations of Windows XP and rebuilds sundry essential components of the Windows operating system, recompiles the BOOT.INI file and corrects a litany of common Windows errors.
It is very important that you do one or both of the following two things:
A.) Every Windows XP owner must use /FASTDETECT as OS Load Option when the rebuild process is finalizing.
B.) If you are the owner of a CPU featuring Intel’s XD or AMD’s NX buffer overflow protection, you must also use /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN as an OS Load Option.
For the Enter Load Identifier portion of this command, you should enter the name of the operating system you have installed.
If, for example, you are using Windows XP Home, you could type Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition for the identifier (it's not crucial, however what the name is, as long, as it's meaningful).
Here is your computer screen:
(http://icrontic.com/draco/images/articles/repairing_windows_xp_in_eight_commands/xp_src_rebuild.gif)
5. Following command verifies the integrity of the hard drive containing the Windows XP installation. While this step is not an essential function in our process, it’s still good to be sure that the drive is physically capable of running windows, in that it contains no bad sectors or other corruptions that might be the culprit:
CHKDSK /R
6. This last command writes a new boot sector to the hard drive and cleans up all the loose ends we created by rebuilding the BOOT.INI file and the system files. When the Windows Recovery Console asks you if you are Sure you want to write a new bootsector to the partition C: ? just hit “Y”, then Enter to confirm your decision:
FIXBOOT
7. It’s time to reboot your PC by typing
EXIT
and pressing Enter.
With any luck, your PC will boot successfully into Windows XP as if your various DLL, Hive, EXE and NTLDR errors never existed.
If you don't have Windows CD...
Download Windows Recovery Console: http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso
Download, and install free Imgburn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
Using Imgburn, burn rc.iso to a CD.
Boot to the CD...let it finish loading.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
Then, follow instructions from Step #3 above.
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Thanks! I can download and burn it on my hubby's puter. That would work!
I am also contacting Dell to see about getting help also.
Thanks so much!
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Keep us posted....
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I think the only help that Dell will be able to offer without paying through the nose would be to send the original software on disks. That can be very helpful though.
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Will keep ya posted! I am going to contact Dell and see if I can get those disks anyway, I can't afford to go out and buy another computer.
Thanks for all the help! ;D
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Okay.....I got the Imgburn downloaded and burned the cd ....tried to load it, and it won't boot from the cd.
I went into set utility and reset the boot sequence so it would automatically boot from the cd rom....but this is what comes up...
Alert! OS Install Mode enabled. Amount of availabel memory limited to 256MB.
Strike F1 to continue, F2 to run set up utility.
Now when I strike F1 it does nothing, F2 takes me back to setup utility, and when I try to set OS Install to disable, and hit the esc button, it won't save it and comes right back up.
I tried going to F12 and starting straight from the cd rom, and it doesn't do anything...just sits there...
I'm game for anything else I can try before I throw this puter out the *censored* window...... :o
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Will keep ya posted! I am going to contact Dell and see if I can get those disks anyway, I can't afford to go out and buy another computer.
Thanks for all the help! ;D
Every Dell ever made has a Service Tag. It's on the case, usually on the back.
Enter it here: http://support.dell.com/
when asked for. The original build is there, drivers & downloads is there, etc.
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Every Dell ever made has a Service Tag.
Not the Turbo PC.
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Try resetting BIOS to defaults.
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;D
Update!
I ordered CD's from Dell, who sent them to me free of charge...and with all the information that you all supplied to me, I was able to go in and change the boot sequence so it would boot from the cd, and load the windows!
I am now loading all the drivers and utilities also.
Thank you all for helping me with this, I couldn't of accomplished it without you! Hopefully it will last until my college courses are done!
Bless all of you! ;)
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Nice :)
Thank you for posting back :)
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I still get the message Alert! OS install mode enabled.
I go in and disable it but it comes right back up when I reboot it. So each time I have to hit F1 to continue, and it will then start windows up.
It's running slow...so I'm thinkin it's gonna crash again ... ???
But I got all my homework off of there, and poems, and pictures...so I'm a happy camper ;D
I was more afraid of losing stuff than I was of the computer taking a dump.
I have it all recovered, so now if it crashes...oh well...
But you all were tremendous in helping me, and I really appreciate it!
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Contact Dell, you might be surprised. They do have good customer support and may still have a copy of the software. They usually only charge shipping on older machines software.
You were right! They sent me all the CD's I needed and no costs at all. They even paid shipping! Thanks! :)
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You're very welcome :)
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Come back any time.