File in System folder corrupted or missing error

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

I try to turn on my laptop that has Xp Pro installed, but before Windows
comes on, I get a black screen error I've never seen before on any machine:
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 using the
original Setup Cd-Rom. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

If I don't have my original CD available, is there anything i can download
and perhaps put on a floppy and try to resurrect?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Bubba wrote:

> I try to turn on my laptop that has Xp Pro installed, but before Windows
> comes on, I get a black screen error I've never seen before on any machine:
> 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 using the
> original Setup Cd-Rom. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.
>
> If I don't have my original CD available, is there anything i can download
> and perhaps put on a floppy and try to resurrect?

This indicates a problem with the registry. You'll need an XP
installation CD to boot into the recovery console. Any XP CD should
work for this.

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=822705

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Hi Bubba,

If you able to boot to the command prompt, you can try using System Restore.
All About System Restore in WinXP
http://bertk.mvps.org/

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org

Bubba wrote:
> I try to turn on my laptop that has Xp Pro installed, but
> before Windows comes on, I get a black screen error I've
> never seen before on any machine: 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 using the original Setup Cd-Rom. Select 'r' at the
> first screen to start repair.
> If I don't have my original CD available, is there
> anything i can download and perhaps put on a floppy and
> try to resurrect?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Detlev Dreyer wrote:

> "Rock" <rock@mail.nospam.net> wrote:
>
>
>>This indicates a problem with the registry. You'll need an XP
>>installation CD to boot into the recovery console.
>
>
> Although that's correct, Setup boot disks work as well.
> "How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/EN-US (excerpt)
>
> | If you cannot start your computer, you can run the Recovery Console
> | from the Microsoft Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM.
>

Ok.....thanks.

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User