Help with my mother's computer

[maddyrose1664]

Hi all

 

Apologies if this is in the wrong place but I need some help. My mum's computer has had a hissy fit and i have a nasty feeling it's died a horrible death.

 

When you turn it on it comes up with the following message.

 

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

 

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup by using the original setup CD Rom."

 

Does anyone know what this means and if it can be rectified? I have tried putting in the windows disc but nothing happens.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[jannercobbler]

****CAUTION*********

 

If your not sure what you are doing in the BIOS then DO NOT TRY as you can mess up over things. ***********************

 

 

******* There is a chance that you will lose all saved data on the C:/ so only attempt if there is nothing important on there.**********

 

Have you checked that the CD boots first within the Bios? you will need to boot the PC (watch the screen carefullyand it will say (to enter setup press / F11 / Delete / F8 or something) and then enter the Bios and make sure that the the CD/DVD drive is the first boot method. then F10 to save the changes and reboot the Computer, the Computer should then boot from the CD.

 

any problems

 

just Shout

 

JC

Edited June 16, 2008 by jannercobbler
more info

[Ell-enn]

Hi there, try this: put in windows disc, go to Start - from the menu pick Run, then Browse, from the drop down window select D: Drive (should show the Windows disc as being in D: then click OK. The programme should then start to run, follow the on screen instructions.

 

Kind Regards

 

Ell-enn

[jannercobbler]

Hi there, try this: put in windows disc, go to Start - from the menu pick Run, then Browse, from the drop down window select D: Drive (should show the Windows disc as being in D: then click OK. The programme should then start to run, follow the on screen instructions.

 

Kind Regards

 

Ell-enn

 

Unfortunately that doesn't work from a DOS screen which I think the OP is inferring?

 

maybe you could move this thread to IT help for OP Please?

[kia]

we had problems like this too think u need a man that does :)cos if your anything like me i couldnt sort it it was a trojan did it to us twice now got better virus checker but still have to be vigilant illl bump this for u and nudge a mod for u (i said nudge )xxkia

[Guinness_the_cat]

Below are the steps I would probably take with this error - if I wasn't in a position to take the drive out and plug it externally into another machine:

 

boot off a windows CD and select Recovery console.

chkdsk c:

 

If this says errors found and corrected or words to this effect, reboot and see if it has heped. If not, you need to replace the affected file - this depend of whether we are talking about XP or 2000 (not seen this yet in Vista) - from recovery console:

 

Windows 2000 instructions here: Sorry can't post link - as not made enougth posts - can PM it if it is 2000

 

 

XP with System recovery on:

C:

cd \system~1

cd _resto~1

dir

cd RPxxx (where xxx is the greatest number shown from dir command)

cd snapshot

copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system

 

with System recovery off (this will prolly need drivers reinstalling and may loose other settings)

c:

cd c:\windows\repair

copy system c:\windows\system32\config\system

[maddyrose1664]

Thanks all for your advice. I had another go with it but it just kept turning itself off when I tried anything. We got a man in and he's fixed it now - we could have bought a new computer for what he charged but my mum's happy so that's what counts.

 

Thanks again

xxx