Re: Activity lamp permanently on

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 06/16/04 

Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:08:16 -0700

If you now can't boot Windows, ignore the suggestion in the error message as
that will take you to the recovery console and what you need to do is a
repair install of XP as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition. 

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Robin" <robin@rowlandr.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:1d11b01c45381$b36c1cb0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> The Symantec site did not throw up any clues although I
> tried a few suggestions, none of which worked.
>
> Desperation setting in - error msg displayed 'Windows
> could not start because the following file system is
> missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM. You
> can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup
> using the original CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen
> to start repair'.
>
> When CD drive was working, tried this and could not iden
> 'first screen' or 'r'. Does this mean the first screen
> that appears and key 'r'? With the CD drive inop I cannot
> of course load the CD.
>
> Grateful for any further  assistance. Probably worth
> noting that, other than no CD drive and constant red lamp,
> the PC seems to work OK.
>
> >-----Original Message-----
>>The "NDD" error message may be Norton Disk Doctor.  You
> might want to check
>>the Symantec site and/or their tech support.  Norton Disk
> Doctor would
>>certainly keep the activity light on and while it says it
> can't run, it may
>>be trying to do so and as such might not only be the
> source of the error but
>>also the disk activity.
>>
>>-- 
>>Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>>Windows Shell/User
>>Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>>DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>>"Robin" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
>>news:19e3c01c44d9c$f9a7d7e0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
>>> Have Norton SystemWorks installed. Tried MS support -
>>> cannot find regedit32.exe on my system.
>>>
>>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>>You're welcome.
>>>>
>>>>Do you have any Norton applications installed on your
>>> system?
>>>>
>>>>As to the CD-ROM drive, please see the following
>>> Knowledge Base article, it
>>>>may only reference Easy CD Creator but this issue is the
>>> same for Nero as
>>>>well:
>>>>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
>>> US;314060
>>>>
>>>>-- 
>>>>Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>>>>Windows Shell/User
>>>>Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>>>>DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>>>
>>>><anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>>news:194eb01c44cd2$e1f2ded0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for your patience.
>>>>> Tried unchecking and rebooting - no change.
>>>>>
>>>>> The CD drive is a writer, software is Nero Express. No
>>>>> problems with the writer previously. Have not removed
>>>>> software. No indication in 'My Computer' that either
>>> the
>>>>> CD drive or the DVD drive are installed. DVD drive
> will
>>>>> open but the CD will not.
>>>>>
>>>>> Error msg on startup reads 'Cannot run 16-bit Windows
>>>>> programme' Insufficient memory to run this application
>>>>> (NDD I think. Quit one or more Windows applications
>>> (none
>>>>> are running on startup). In addition, NDD cannot
>>> access C
>>>>> drive.
>>>>>
>>>>> I am beginning to lose the will to live!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>.
>>

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