Re: Windows XP will not boot

The file \windows\system32\config\system is part of the
registry. If it is damaged then you have a couple of
options:

1. Use its backup copy, or
2. Re-install Windows.

AFAIK, Option 1 is invoked automatically when you select
"Last known good configuration". You report that it does not
work but you do not tell us what the error messages are.
It is therefore not possible to tell you what's happening here.

Since you did not report the labels of your DELL CDs, I can
only guess what CD you used when trying to run setup.exe.
If it is a proper Windows setup CD then this sequence of
commands will initiate the Windows setup process:

cd \i386
winnt



"Marty" <Marty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:DA2CC713-D7CB-4FA7-BA60-695E94A44ABC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Replied last night but it did not post so here it goes again.
> I have tried the last known good configuration it does not work.
> I have three options for booting into safe mode none work.
> I can't fix or restore the operating system because the drive does not
boot
> to cd.
> The drive will boot to the resource cd diagnostic screen which give me the
> option to go to a command prompt (DOS). From there I have placed the OS cd
in
> the other CD drive and tried to run setup. I receive the message cannot
run
> this program from DOS.
> I have tried to copy the corrupt file from a cd to the C drive but get the
> message that the directory does not exist on the c drive. I think my next
> step is to try and create a windows\system32\config folder and copy it
again.
> I am hesitant to format the drive as the OS disk is not being read.
> Thanks again for the help this beats the heck of paying dell for asking
> their software guys.
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> > Let's take this nice and easy. When you press F8 early in the
> > boot phase then you get a boot menu screen. (BTW - it's not
> > a "DOS" screen - there is no DOS under Windows!). Now
> > try booting into "Last known good configuration". Does it
> > work? If not, select "Safe Mode".
> >
> > If this still fails to work then you may have to restore your
> > system to factory condition. Two preparation steps are
> > required:
> > 1. Back up your important files(s) if any. Do you have any?
> > 2. Locate the Dell "Operating System" CD. I saw one a few
> > weeks ago but I do not remember its exact label. If
> > you cannot find it, tell us what CDs you do have.
> >
> > Post your results here and someone will take you to the
> > next step.
> >
> > "Marty" <Marty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:A0D3FB3A-BA58-4AD3-A706-A09170271A97@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > No problem. When I boot the computer I get the normal black screen
with
> > the
> > > option to press F2 or F12 (setup or boot process) the screen changes
to
> > the
> > > Windows XP screen and then goes blank. Nothing else happens. I cannot
get
> > it
> > > to boot off of the XP reinstallation cd but can get it to boot to the
> > > resource cd. I can get to dos by pressing F8 but do not see a windows
> > > directory after rebooting get the following error.
> > > 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
> > > as stated before when I reboot to to the XP cd it does not see it and
I
> > get
> > > the same message again.
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > The transcript from the Dell helpdesk is useful to Dell but not
> > > > to us other mortals. You need to describe what exactly happens
> > > > at boot time, what messages you see and how far you get.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Marty" <Marty@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > > news:D9375FE3-0F17-48A0-B5CC-F5128FBC99EB@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > XP will not boot after installing service pack 2.
> > > > > Here is the transcript from the dell help desk. Don't want to pay
dell
> > $50
> > > > > to fix the problem...anyone have any solutions?
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:43:40 AM} Thank you for contacting Dell Hardware
> > Warranty
> > > > > Chat Support. My name is Jabbar. May I have the Complete Name and
> > > > Telephone
> > > > > Number as per our records,
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:43:55 AM} System will not reboot completely
(posts
> > > > without
> > > > > video) after installing XP service pack 2. Will not reboot from
Dell
> > > > Windows
> > > > > XP installation CD. Did all diagnostic tests...all passed except
> > express
> > > > test
> > > > > received error code 0f00: 133D
> > > > > MSG IDE device failed: incompatible CD for testing (Resource CD
was in
> > > > drive)
> > > > > Can boot to resource CD...
> > > > > Following error is confirmed after running debugging from F12 menu
> > > > > Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
> > corrupt:
> > > > > \windows\system32\config\system
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:44:20 AM} Perry Bartram 910-436-2437
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:44:53 AM} You may have the following number on
file
> > 910
> > > > > 878-0118 that is our old number
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:45:48 AM} Let me check on this.
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:45:58 AM} no problem
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:46:27 AM} May I know the complete
> > messsage------>windows
> > > > > could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
> > > > > \windows\system32\config\system
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:46:58 AM} you can attempt to repair this file by
> > > > starting
> > > > > windows Setup using the original setup cd-rom
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:47:13 AM} select r at the first screen to start
> > repair
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:47:18 AM} That is it
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:47:51 AM} Ok
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:48:11 AM} That is the window that is up right
now
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:49:17 AM} Give me a minute to check.
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:54:30 AM} Did you unplug the hardware before
> > installing
> > > > SP2?
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:54:48 AM} Unplug what hardware?
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:55:41 AM} Any third party hardware like USB drives
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:56:38 AM} no, the only hardware is a usb
wireless
> > > > adapter
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:56:59 AM}
> > > > > Ok
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:57:15 AM} It was plugged, am I right?
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:57:20 AM} correct
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:58:07 AM} Perry you can try repairing the windows
or
> > you
> > > > can
> > > > > try a fresh installation of windows.
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:58:30 AM} Perry, you have contacted the hardware
> > support
> > > > and
> > > > > this is a software issue. I can give you the number for our
software
> > > > support
> > > > > they can resolve it.
> > > > > {PERRY BARTRAM 11:58:53 AM} i can't repair because it is not
seeing
> > the
> > > > > CD...send the number
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:59:09 AM} As we have very limited expertise in
this
> > > > > software, we would like to avoid doing anything that could further
> > bring
> > > > down
> > > > > the performance your computer. However, we have a set of
technicians
> > who
> > > > are
> > > > > trained to handle these types of issues. Please make a note of our
> > > > helpdesk
> > > > > number; they would be more than happy to assist you.
> > > > > 1-866-507-3355 (This is a Fee based support)
> > > > > {jabbar_jung 11:59:39 AM} They will surely resolve issue.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >


.

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