Help- XPS 400 Won't Boot into Windows

Question

I am hoping that the Dell forum braintrust can help me with this.  I cannot boot into Windows.  I get a message that says ' Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM.   I called Dell support and she basically told me I would have to reformat the hard drive, but I don't want to lose all my data.  She inferred that there are ways to replace the corrupted file but Dell support does not recommend this technique.  I am looking for suggestions.   Please help if you can,   Thanks,  Bob

boppo · Answer

did you try to hit f8 on bootup and pick last known good config.?

cinbob1985 · Answer

Thanks Boppo.   I tried to start at the last known good configuration but no luck.  I followed the instructions on the web link but cant get into the repair console, when I hit 'r' I get a message that windows has been shut down to prevent damage BAD_POOL_CALLER.    Thanks for your help so far.  Any other suggestions??   Bob

boppo · Answer

if that doesn't work try this.   http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

boppo · Answer

you could boot to the cd and go to the second repair. do like your going to install windows and then you can pick r from there. what that will do is keep your data but install windows again, at least that how it worked when i did it.

boppo · Answer

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI

cinbob1985 · Answer

Boppo,  Do you mean I should select the first choice in the Setup screen,  'To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER' .  I was thinking this selection would replace all of the Windows system and I would lose all of my data on the hard drive.  Am I right or wrong?   Thanks for your help!!   Bob

Jim_Hill · Answer

Here's another suggestion - but more difficult.

Get another hard drive. Using the disks that came with your computer, Install XP, drivers, etc. so it will boot into Windows. When finished, connect it to the end of the drive cable and your corrupted drive to the connector near the center. I assume you are running cable select, but if not set the new drive as the master and the corrupted drive as the slave. You don't need to physically install the drive; just place it where it won't fall over.

Start the computer which will boot into the new drive, and use Win Explorer to go to the old drive (which will now have new drive letters). Copy your personal data to the new drive.

If you have formatted the old drive so it has more than the C drive, the other drive letters will probably remain at the new "letters". Go to Control Panel, System Tools, Administrative Tools, Storage, Disk Management. On the lower part of the final window, right click on the appropriate drive and select the change drive letter option.
Jim

cinbob1985 · Answer

Hi Jim,   Thanks a bunch for your help.  OK here's what I'm thinking, let me know if it is similar to what you are describing.  I have an additional hard drive that I installed 6 months ago.  It is just for for data storage and doesn't have anything critical on it yet.  I am thinking of switching the drives, installing Windows on the new drive (if that can be done using the restore disc), booting from the new drive and then transferring the data from the old to the new.  What do you think?  Will it work?   Thanks again for your help!!   Bob

boppo · Answer

so did the repair fix it?

cinbob1985 · Answer

Boppo,   I am having problems with the repair technique.  After I enter the Restore Console and hit 'r' I get BAD_POOL_CALLER error and can't go any further.  I'm at work now and brainstorming some workarounds.  So far no go.   Bob

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Help- XPS 400 Won't Boot into Windows

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