??? I have a config.sys but it's 0 bytes long and nothing in it, in Windows XP. 

 

fireberd,

I believe that is normal, winXP does not use config.sys like win9x does, but a 'blank' file is left in place for compatibility issues.

one angry man,

Try to get into windows safe mode, The following link may help.
http://service.dell.com/dell/search_results/1,,safe%2Bmode,00.html?criteria=

when in there see if you can trouble shoot to get it back, from say the recycle bin.

The following might be relevant

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=101096

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314474

Thanks for the help will follow it up and se how things progrees..!

Denny, Good thinking!. I'm naive enough to try to answer the question as posed, but as there was no . between config and sys, you may be right :)

Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 11-02-2003 06:51 PM

one angry man,

In addition to JRosenfeld's links, if the original error message referred to "WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" (which is different from config.sys) the information here applies.

by gove i think youve cracked it...!

Thanks for all your help

Angry, (slightly less so)

Am having a similar problem (see my posting-Healy 24), but still unble to recover. Any help would be appreciated.

Have tried to copy over files as reccomded by Denny but can not get into the dos command...!

Have tried using a windos boot disk..which gets me to the A:\ prompt but cannot change directory...when I type in C: at the prompt i get invaild directory..is there any other way to access dos via the setup...?

I believe you have to use a Windows 98 bootdisk. In any case try the booting to the System Recovery Console which is on the cd. To do that you must first bring up the BIOS. I get the BIOS by repeated tapping on the Delete key after starting/restarting the computer. You may have to 'tap' on a different key. Once in the BIOS page you worh your way to the place where you can make your cd-rom the first (top) boot device. After changing that setting you (use option) exit SAVING CHANGES. With the cd in (do this first) the computer should on restart boot to your xp cd and from there you choose the Recovery Option. I haven't done this yet so hopefully I will be corrected if I've made any mistake.

Once you get your system back read about ASR in 'Help and Support' and ERUNT in Google.

I had same error message, was unable to boot from HD. Options suggested to me: (1) try the Repair process using Reinstalltion CD, (2) try Microsoft knowledge-based 307545 process via Recovery Console DOS entries, or (3) delete C: partition and do a clean Win XP Home reinstall. I couldn't get to Repair Screen in (1) nor complete (2) because "volume in drive C has no label". Didn't want to do (3) and lose data. Here's what worked for me, and saved data on HD:

a. Use Drivers & Utilities CD, with media in all drives (floppy, zip, cd/dvd), to verify hardware (select "quick test").

b. Use Reinstalltion CD to boot (tap F12) to Win Setup. Do not select "first r", but press ENTER to continue setup. Forget CAUTION on next screen which will show HD partitions. I had two, a small one installed by Dell and "C: Partition 2". Highlight C: partition using Arrow Key, press ENTER to continue Setup.

c. Forget CAUTION at next screen. Use Arrow Key to select option 3 "Leave the current file system intact (no changes)" and press ENTER.

d. Forget CAUTION at next screen. Press "L" key to select option 1: "To use the folder and delete the the existing Windows installation in it, press L". Windows will reinstall in original folder. Data files remained in old partition and wre accesable via "Search". After reinstalling drivers, etc. I am copying all data to CDs.

 

Combination of help from Dell, TechTV, and IT staff at work. I tried everything short of intentionally losing data via deletion partition. Last ditch was to go past the CAUTIONs--it worked! The mystery is that I still don't know waht caused the original problem.

At step "b", have to press "C" (continue setup) instead of ENTER.

If you go to TechTV site message boards and Search for "Win XP Home Crashed" you'll get all the blow-by-blows. First thing I did after getting a successful Win XP reinstall was to to go to Windows Update and download all the patches. Then began reinstalling drivers, etc. So far so good!

Thanks for sharing. Was this just 'trial and error', google, or some sort of paid support that gave you this fix ? It sure beats a clean or dirty re-install. Printed this one out.

A little tip: you can edit your posts by clicking on options (have to be signed in)/Edit. ta

ps I believe you'll have to update your XP at WindowsUpdates site; unless they're still on your computer (ie saved).

Message Edited by maxd on 11-10-2003 12:42 PM