Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
C:\windows\system32\config\system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-Rom. Select "r" at the first screen to start repair.

I got this error on my laptop when I tried to boot up. Anyone know how serious this is? I guess I'll be going to the shop tomorrow to get the set up CD and try and repair this.

Is this a sign of more problems to come or just one of those freak deals?

 

Did you try just rebooting? Its serious in that it wont let you log on, but it's most likely a freak thing. Try booting from last know good configuration if rebooting the laptop does'nt work.

 

I tried that. I tried every option F8 gave me. I got an error message every time it tried to load windows.

 

when i get that i just reformat my computer! that means reinstalling win XP!

 

I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that, but since they're forecasting a front to move in tomorrow with 30 MPH winds, I may as well spend a few hours reloading everything onto the computer.

 

it could be just a hard drive error..

Before reformatting and losing everything why not try the "R" option..

When you get into the recovery console run chkdsk /r.

This may repair the HD problem and give you a chance to get your data backed up..

If the PC is over 3 years old then it would be a good idea to get another drive..

NOTE: this error can be caused by a virus...

 

I agree with the hdd error.




My son's HP laptop gave that message a few times as his hdd died a slow, lingering death. His laptop was a few days less than a year old. I didn't want to get the 'runaround' from HP or B. Buy, so, I took care of this, myself.

I bought a hdd and a 'cloning' kit from drivesolutions.com.
The 'kit' boots to the CDROM and 'ghosts' the laptop hdd to the new hdd.
I had my son's laptop back in top shape in about 30 minutes.
(Just be sure to change the boot order to boot from the CD drive, first!)

 

Thanks for the help. How expensive is a hard drive and how difficult is it to install in a laptop? The laptop is about 3 years old. Luckily I'm not worried about the data. I backed everything up on Thursday. The only thing I would have to do is reload programs if it comes to that.

 

Laptop harddrives come in different 'flavors'.

I recently bought a 120 gig hdd (Western Digital) for my laptop, from Best Buy for about $100.00.
The 'kit' that I referred to was about $50.00.
It has been a really good investment. I've used it on three laptops, now.

On the my son's HP, my HP (Compaq) and my wife's HP (Compaq), it's a simple matter of one screw on the bottom, then remove 4 screws and the hdd comes right out.
My Sony Viao was two screws on the bottom, then 4 screws inside.


What manuf. is your pc and model #?

If your computer is fairly stable (with the exception of the problem you are having now) I'd clone your drive and just swap it out.

http://www.drivesolutions.com/cgi-bin/shop/bstore.cgi?command=listitems&kind=kit&pos=0&type=i temid&itemid=a8


Really easy to do. Swapping the hdd (on our laptops) takes about 5 minutes, or less.

 

Swapping drives and reformatting isnt so bad. My 2 year old dumped a whole cup of coffee on my laptop this morning. It is at the repair shop to see if it can be saved, if not I will be doing some formatting, except a grand in the hole, fun, fun, fun.

 

Well the repair option did not work. After several attempts at doing a full recovery I finally got it to boot back up. It was extremely slow and unresponsive. After trying to load programs in it I got the same error message after the first reboot so I'm back to square one.

The laptop is 3 years old and it cost $499 when new. If I can find a laptop that has XP I think I'll just get a new one. If not I may look into replacing the hard drive.

Thanks for everyones help.

 

http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Win...r_corrupt.html

 

www.overstock.com is were i got my son a new laptop with XP under 900 dollars!

 

Thanks for the link. I blindy stumbled on this doing a search earlier. My laptop came with a recovery CD that has windows xp installed on it. There is no repair option that comes up so none of this will work. The only option I get is to rewrite the disc or abort.

Otherwise this would have been the exact info I needed.

 

Aight brother no problem. Since restore is'nt working and we dont have a repair console. Lets bootup from a 98 bootdisc or a dos disc. When you start to boot the machine press F12 and hopefully this gets you to a boot option menu. If F12 is'nt your hotkey and you know what it is then you know what to do.
At the prompt something like;

A:\ type the following commands:
cd c:\windows\system32\config <enter>
ren system system.old <enter><ENTER>
ren system.alt systemalt.old <enter><ENTER>

What your doing here is changing your directory to your config folder. Then you are renameing your system files because if you dont the new file will have a conflict if it even gets copied.

You should still have a prompt something like c:\windows\system32\config
type the next command:
cd c:\windows <enter>

type the next command:
copyc:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config <enter>
you should have a prompt like
c:\windows

type exit <enter><ENTER>
I dont know what console your in so I dont know how you'll need to close wither its enter<ENTER>,Ctrl-Alt-Delete, or Esc or just eject the floppy and press and hold the power button. Hopefully when you reboot you will be back into your pc.

What your trying to do here is coping your repair system files to the config folder.