windows won't start re: xp file missing or corrupt...please help!!!!!

Question

Upon attempting to turn on my dell dimension 2100,  after someone had borrowed and then stored for awhile, the only thing that appears on the screen now is:   Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:   \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONF\SYSTEM     then it says:   you can attempt to repair the file by starting windows setup using the original setup cd-rom   select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.   Firs of all, I cannot go anywhere but to this screen.Any button pushed starts it back to the blue dell screen then right back to this one.  Second, I do  not have the original windows xp setup cd, I know this is an older computer, but it worked well up until this happened,  I know it is repairable ( I hope)  I really would like to get it fixed, can anyone help me??

volcano11 · Answer

See the following: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/3546 In any case you will most likely need to locate the Windows XP CD to fix this problem. Steve

redwolfe_98 · Answer

that is bad news, kat.. unless you can accomplish the 'recovery' as outlined in the MSKB article posted below, you will need to do a clean reinstall of win xp et al..   http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545   doing a clean reinstall of win xp is not difficult, but it can be time consuming.. usually there are 'reinstall guides' with instructions for reinstalling win xp et al in 'dell support'..   maintaining your computer by running 'disk defragmenter' and 'error-checking' might help to prevent the problem from re-occurring in the future..   if you do a clean reinstall of win xp, you need to have a firewall running before reconnecting to the internet.. if you have win xpsp2 installed, the windows firewall will be running by default.. if you have win xpsp1 installed, you can manually turn on the windows firewall in it, or use another firewall that you have saved to disks, instead..

jmwills · Answer

Since the machine was out of your possession for awhile, I would first attemp a repair installation (requires the XP disc), save all your data to some sort of removable media(CD, DVD, portable hard drive) then wipe the drive with a clean install and start fresh.

charlesinyazoo · Answer

I have tried the above solutions.  It is not working for me.  everytime I enter in one of the entries it comes back telling me cannot find fill.  This is so agravating.  Computer was purchased in jan.  HELP!  Dell isn't helping at all unless I give them a CC #.

kat111257 · Answer

Thank you for taking the time to help.  It is appreciated very much!!

kat111257 · Answer

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it!!!

redwolfe_98 · Answer

charles, just do a clean reinstall of win xp.. there are 'reinstall guides' in 'dell support'.. if your computer did not come with a win xp cd, call dell and tell them that you did not get the win xp cd that you need to restore your computer, and i think they will ship you a win xp cd..   if you get hung up, if you have a problem in trying to reinstall win xp, come back to the forum, and tell us what the problem is, and someone will have an answer for you..   if it is a new dell, it might have a sata drive where you have to install a 'raid' driver when you are doing a clean reinstall of win xp et al..   look at the reinstall guide for your model dell, and if there isn't one, then you can still find the needed information in dell support, like a general guide for installing win xp, and instructions for working with the sata harddrive..

charlesinyazoo · Answer

one more thing does anyone know what caused all this mess and what I can do to prevent it.

charlesinyazoo · Answer

well windows in reinstalled .  I have a maxtor back up external drive.  I see all my data there.  Now going on to maxtor to see why it is not doing what it is suppose to do.  Thanks

jmwills · Answer

Yes, don't loan out your computer and password protect all user accounts not to mention backing up your data REGULARLY!!

charlesinyazoo · Answer

I am the only person that is using my computers.  I haven't given out any information.

Windows General

windows won't start re: xp file missing or corrupt...please help!!!!!

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