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peggylenox

131 Posts

19098

April 27th, 2006 17:00

Error Message: WIndows could not start, file missing or corrupt WIndows\System32\Config\System

Recently while traveling, I took my Dell 600M laptop to a Kinkos to try to print something.  It wouldn't work and finally the Kinkos guy said there apparently was trouble with their system.  Went to another Kinkos and my computer would not boot-up and I received the above message.  It said I could "try" to repair with original set-up CD Rom.  Since I returned home, I've tried it several different ways and it still won't repair.  I went to   which was recommended here and got to the final step where I was to repair, but all that appeared as options were various partitions -- I didn't know I had any!  So what do I do now?   The computer is still under warranty.  I did an online chat after clicking the "Need further help?" site on that page and after a fruitless chat was told that he didn't know anything about this, it was a software problem and he could recommend a site where I could info if I pay.  The computer is still under warranty for heavens sake!  And if he didnt know anything about this problem, why was he the one at the other end of the link?  I've read through all the posts that seem relevant, but couldn't seem to work it out.  HELP!!  Many thanks, peggy 

tom522

3 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

when ever i got this message on my older computer ( acouple of times) only a complete reinstall would fix it.
have you tried a complete reinstallation of windows. sometimes the repair option doesn't replace all the necessary files. my son got a virus on his 600m, i cleaned the virus and tried the repair thing, it didn't work. i had to do a complete reinstall.

this is from your link.

What a Repair Reinstall Will Not Do


Completely rebuild the registry. A Repair Reinstall only writes to parts of the registry used by Windows XP. It will not completely rebuild the registry.

hope this helps and you haven't lost to much data!!!!

tom

tom522

3 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

i think the e: drive is a ram drive (created in memory) so set up can run with out using the hard drive.
select the c: partition (hi-lite it) and choose install.

a complete reinstallation will delete my documents stuff. and most of your software will need to be re-installed. installing software sometimes puts files and folders in the windows folder, if you re-do windows, that info is lost.

what software are you using?

i got that message when i left my (older) computer unplugged for a week while on vacation. had to start all over.
any voltage spike can jumble thing up!! or the battery on the mother board is to week to keep it tickin'


tom

czgu

152 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

I had same problem in my desktop PC. I tried make the HD as external drive, but I couldn't access the directories. There is no easy way to fix it. If you have backup, you can restore the backup, you'll lose some of your works. If you have upgrade version of windows, you can use it to install windows over the existing windows, which you can boot the PC and get you files.

peggylenox

131 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

Hi:  No, I haven't  tried a complete re-installation of WIndows.  If I do this, what will I lose?  All my other programs?  I have several external HDs, but don't know how to transfer info from the laptop if I can't get into it.  Yikes!  Do you think something on the Kinkos system did this?

 

peggy

peggylenox

131 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

The following is what appeared on my laptop when I tried to repair using the link below:

 

When I reach the screen that says if one of the following Windows  XP installations is damaged, Setup can try to repair it.  What shows on my scrre is not C:\Windows Microsoft Windows XP, but the following:

 

57232 MB Disk 0 at Id 0  on bus 0 on atapi (MBR)

 

Partition1 (FAT)    47 MB

C: Partition2 (NTFS)      53592 MB (26916 MB Free)

E:  Paritition3 (FAT32)     3585 MB  (1156 MB free)

     Unpartitioned space

 

Options do not include R=Repair, but D=Delete Partition, Enter=Install

or F3=Quit.

 

I think the Fat32 refers to an External hard drive I use, but it isn’t connected at this point.

 I don’t know what to do next.  Thanks, peggy

 

 

 

 

 

peggylenox

131 Posts

April 27th, 2006 18:00

Guess I don't understand the quiestion "What software are yoy using?"  Lots!  Word, Tivo Desktop, Quicken, TOtal Recorder, Sonic, etc, etc.  Is that what you meant?  peggy

peggylenox

131 Posts

April 27th, 2006 20:00

:smileyhappy:
Yippee!! I fixed it!  Did a Google search on the problem and came up with following site:
 
 
 
 
Followed the directions, and after a few typos that messed it up, it worked.  The little laptop us purring away again.  Wow!
 
I was very unimpressed with our experience at Kikos.  I don't know what there messed up the computer, but feel it must have been something as it worked fine before.  But, the worst part was that no one working there had a clue about their equipment or computers or anything else.  I would NEVER go there again.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and if anyone has the same problem, do try this site. It worked for me.
 
 
Peggy

peggylenox

131 Posts

April 28th, 2006 17:00

Hi:  Yes, that's the disk I used.  And, I don't believe I lost anything.  The important part is to follow the instructions exactly.  I kept hitting wrong keys and then would have to start over.  At the end, they say to restart and go back to the most recent restore point. What I did, was go back to a slightly earlier one to make sure that there were no problems.  And, it worked!

There was so much written that said the only way was to reinstall windows and lose programs, I was really happy to have discovered this.  If I can be of any help, please let me know.  Don't know if I would be,  but I'm glad to try.  peggy

Leoaica

2 Posts

April 28th, 2006 17:00

Quick question for you: I currently have the same problem with my computer. However, the only disc I have for Windows XP is the reinstallation cd. Is that what you used to fix your problem, and did you lose any files?

dde2

5 Posts

May 1st, 2006 13:00

Way to go Peggy!!  Everything I have learned about computers was because of problems like you had, you beat your head against the wall for a while but it feels great when you figure it out and actually fix something most people are afraid of even trying to fix!!!

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