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Dim2400

3 Posts

18101

August 3rd, 2006 18:00

System does not boot, also drives do not work. Msg: \windows\system32\config\system

I am not able to boot my system, also not from floppy drive.
When I start the computer, it states: Windows can not be started, due to file damage or file not found: \windows\system32\config\system.
 
Floppy drive starts seeking for Windows cd, but finally does not react.
 
I have tested the hard drive and get the message Uncorrectable data errors. Red and Verify test fail.
Error code 0F00:131B (and additionals)
Msg Block: 4330825
 
Is there any solution to this problem other than installing new hard disk?
Any quick help is highly appreciated!!!
Thanks, Peter.

shesagordie

12 Elder

 • 

46K Posts

August 3rd, 2006 18:00

Dim2400
 

You have a corrupted registry. The repair procedures above are not always successful, then you will need to reinstall XP, but all data will be lost when this is carried out, unless it has have backed up to other media.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_mediaexp&message.id=2495

Or you, could use the easy method, if the computer was shipped after 7.16.04, you should have the Dell's PC Restore utility on the hard drive, that restores the system to factory condition.
 
If none of the above work, then replace the hard drive.

Bev.

Dim2400

3 Posts

August 3rd, 2006 21:00

Bev,

many thanks for your proposed solutions. As the problem occured after quiting a MSN window, an application error might be the cause of a damaged registry.

However, to implement your proposed solutions, I need to be in a command prompt. So far, I did not succeed to get in a DOS window. When I press F8 and try to start in safe mode using command screen, I always return at my error message.

Could you please advise how I can force my computer into DOS command prompt?

Many thanks in advance!

ejn63

11 Legend

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87.5K Posts

 • 

321.3K Points

August 3rd, 2006 21:00

You need a new hard drive - that one is clearly failing.

ejn63

11 Legend

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87.5K Posts

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321.3K Points

August 3rd, 2006 22:00

Boot the XP CD, and choose the command line from there (repair).

Better strategy: disconnect the drive, replace it with a new one, reload XP, and then connect the failed drive as a secondary and copy your data. The existing drive is clearly failing rapidly - the more you try, the lower your chances of recovering your data.

Message Edited by ejn63 on 08-03-200607:22 PM

tmper

2 Posts

August 3rd, 2006 22:00

A very simlar thing happened to my hard drive.  I don't think it will be able to be resurected.  If you have another computer, you can try to attach the bad HD to the other computer as a slave drive.  See if you can get to the files from there.  Mine wasn't even recognised as a formatted drive.  Try running Getdataback software to salvage your old files (if they weren't backed up like mine).  Here's another question in this scenario.  I've got a new hard drive, will I be able to re-install Win XP from the system disk that came with the computer? Even though it would be a clean install?  Thanks.

Tom

Message Edited by tmper on 08-03-200606:53 PM

shesagordie

12 Elder

 • 

46K Posts

August 4th, 2006 00:00

tmper
 
Yes, you can use the Dell XP reinstallation CD, for a clean installation of windows on the new replacement hard drive.
 
Bev. 

Dim2400

3 Posts

August 4th, 2006 07:00

Thanks for all your replies.

Two questions reman:

- can I connect to another computer, when it did not boot properly? (I have another computer in use)

- my cd rom device is not working. How do I get into a Dos command?

Thanks again, Peter.

maddy78

132 Posts

August 4th, 2006 08:00

Hi,
 
Most of the Dell computer hard driver are bound to give Uncorrectable data errors when you run a Dell extended diagnostic on hard drive. Similarly most of these drives fail on Dell Hardrive diagnostics (so called 90-90) with return code -7.  Do not worry about them. In a 80+ gigs hdd, if there are even few uncorrectable data sectors, it should not be a matter of concern.
 
Firstly, if your cd rom drive is not working, then the issue with registry file failure cannot be fixed. You will need a cd rom drive which is working. You need to have "Windows xp Re-installation disc" (generally a purple color disc).
 
If you have cd drive and the xp disc in place, Insert the windows xp re-installation disc in the top cd rom drive. Press the function key "F12" two or three times when you turn on your computer. This will give you a boot device menu.  Then highlight the option that says, "USB or IDE CD ROM Device". Then press the Enter key. Once you do this, you should see a message, "Press any key to boot through cd rom device". When you see this message, tap the "Spacebar" key once. You will see windows xp setup loading some files.
 
Then you will see a screen where you will have an option, "Press 'R' to repair your windows xp by booting to Recovery console". Here press the "R" key on the keyboard. Then it will prompt you with this option - "Which windows operating sytem do you want to load?". When you get this prompt, type "1" on the keyboard and press enter. Then you will be prompted to enter administrator password. Do not enter any password and hit the "Enter" key on the keyboard. This should take you to a DOS Prompt (Something like C:\Windows:\>).
 
Once you are on this DOS prompt, type "CHKDSK  /R" and hit enter. This is called as a check disk command with R after the forward slash telling it to repair if there are any errors on the disk. This chkdsk /r process would take around one hour to complete. It will start at 0% and move to 75% then get back to 40% and move up to 100%. Once it reaches 100%, you will get the DOS prompt again. Type "Exit" and hit enter. Take out the windows xp cd from the cdrom drive. System should restart normally.
 
Incase the "Chkdsk /r" completes 100% and still if the issue persists, then do not lose heart, there is another way in which we can resolve the issue. First try this and let me know.
 
Note: If the cd rom drive is not working, plz get a cd rom drive from some other computer and install it in this computer.
 
Happy troubleshooting.
Cheers,
Maddy

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