easiest step would be upon the dell logo hit f8, then choose last known good configuration. what does the blue screen say? i mean do you have error messages or any set of numbers and letters as an error code?

I just tried it and it went back to the original message about the missing/corrupt file. Is there another option on the f8 menu I can try? The blue screens don't happen anymore, by the way. When I turn it on, it goes to the Dell logo, then the message. I appreciate your help!

however /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM is not a file but a system folder so it is very difficult to replace whatever it is that is not loading. good thing is you can do an f8. how about trying safemode. then once you get into desktop screen go to start > program files > accesories > system tools > system restore, now hopefully you have an option to restore your computer to an earlier date probably weeks ago, you can toggle the dates with arrows at the upper part. however some files like programs that you installed after the restore date will be lost. if the blue screen comes up take note of an error message so that we can figure out what's causing this :)

hi there,

 

the last fix for that will be OSRi..  coz once there is a corrupt file on the OS. it will not let you boot up to windows. i do understand that you have a lot of data there but   thats our last option               

I tried to do safe made and came up with this:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)/WINDOWS/system32/ntoskrnl.exe

"                                                                                         "hal.dll

"                                                                                         "KDCOM.DLL

"                                                                                         "BOOTVID.dll

"                                                                                         "config/system

:                                                                                         "config/system.log

 

Then it has the original maeesage. Do I have any options here? I'm getting worried....:smileysad:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?journalid=3F0CF28C139B3264E040A68F5A282D70&docid=DC47E7957E35BBC0E030A68F27280D16

The Dell PC Restore in Karl's link is an option,  but you will lose all the data you have.  Not sure if you've seen this already:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/3

 

If you've only tried Method 1 (putting in the CD after restarting your PC), Method 2 here should let you boot directly from the CD and repair your install, with a lower risk of losing all your data.

I tried to do Method 1 and 2 but I can't do either one because I can't get to the screens to even start the process. I tried to do what Karl said, but the link says when the Dell splash screen pops up, hold down ctrl, then press f11 and release at the same time. I keep trying it but I'm stillg etting the original message! Any more advice??? I'm going to use my credit card and call the Dell hotline thing...

If you haven't tried already -  use F2 (setup) at the splash screen to enter the BIOS, and change the boot sequence to use the CD-ROM first.  Save settings, then restart with the XP CD in the drive.

 

Edit:  May also be able to do this with F12 - boot from CD.

 

For the trouble with CTRL F-11, if you've ever reinstalled XP and formatted the drive , then the function is gone.  If not, I found this post that may be helpful: the timing is important.

 

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_harddrive&message.id=57872&query.id=36645#M57872

I spoke with a Dell person and based on all the things he had me do, he said my hard drive is toast and that I have to get a new one. Do you still think it's worth trying the f2 thing?