Corrupt System Files/ CD-ROM errors

Question

I have a Dimension E310 , Windows XP Media Center Edition

I was originally having an error with the CD-ROM drive, which would not read any disks. I attempted to update, and follow everything else suggested by Dell's troubleshooting, but that didn't work.

So, I attempted to reinstall Windows XP, already installed in the computer's hard drive. During the installation, the computer would freeze, and eventually I got a blue screen, and these new messages popped up:

"Floppy diskette seek failure", then after pressing F1 to continue, "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

Even if I do get my hands on a Windows Setup CD, the CD-ROM drive still won't read anything

I'm not exactly computer savvy, but can anyone suggest good courses of action?

RoHe · Answer

The floppy disk error just means the the floppy drive controller got turned on in BIOS. Run BIOS setup (F2 when you see the Dell splash screen) and disable the floppy controller (assuming you don't actually have internal floppy drive). Save the change and exit.

How did you attempt to reinstall XP if you don't have the XP CD?

If you didn't get the CD from Dell when you received the system, start here.

Ron

Smeep · Answer

I ran winnt32.exe to start from scratch

RoHe · Answer

Then I guess you need to get the XP CD from Dell... Ron

Windows General

Corrupt System Files/ CD-ROM errors

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