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Windows XP forum: windows\system32\config\system\ is missing or corrupt

by: RDC12 June 10, 2008 7:44 PM PDT

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windows\system32\config\system\ is missing or corrupt

by RDC12 - 6/10/08 7:44 PM

My computer, a dell dimension 8400 with windows xp home edition, keeps coming up with an error saying:

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Config\system.

I found on microsofts website that told em what to do to recover the info from the registry and reboot windows with the installer disc( that link is http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us ). well i put in the installer disc and the computer doesn't seem to reconize that i even put in the disc, i don't here the cd drive spinning up or anything. i tried it with the drives and other software disc.

i ran boot utility and scanned the computer and the drives come up fine with the test(except the hard disk which popped up errors on a constant.) I need to know whether or that i have to absolutely buy a new hard disk or if it's possibly to restore windows with or without the installer disc.so can anyone help me out??


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Boot Device Priority

by SuperMA5TER - 6/11/08 1:50 AM

In Reply to: windows\system32\config\system\ is missing or corrupt by RDC12

Perhaps your computer isn't configured to boot from CD. Go to boot menu and set your CD drive as first boot device.


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ok, no hard disk.

by RDC12 - 6/11/08 8:12 AM

In Reply to: Boot Device Priority by SuperMA5TER

i set the cdrom drive to boot first and the installer disc came up but, when i went to the recovery console, it said that there was no hard disk found. i tried restoring windows with out recovering and the same thing and still no hard disk. have any other suggestions?


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Is this hard disk a SATA drive?

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/11/08 8:52 AM

In Reply to: windows\system32\config\system\ is missing or corrupt by RDC12

If so a special boot procedure is needed or XP won't see the hard disk.


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Yes...

by RDC12 - 6/11/08 9:41 AM

In Reply to: Is this hard disk a SATA drive? by R. Proffitt Moderator

so what do i have to do?


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Links about

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/11/08 9:44 AM

In Reply to: Yes... by RDC12

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=F6FLOPPY&btnG=Google+Search

In short, the floppy for the SATA drivers and the F6 key.
Bob


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i think its all on a cd

by RDC12 - 6/11/08 10:38 AM

In Reply to: Links about by R. Proffitt Moderator

i look for a floppy that had anything to do with drivers and nothing. i have a cd that has drivers and utilities if thats what i need. though itried to load it and its not really doing anything.


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Then let's find the Dell manual.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/11/08 11:49 AM

In Reply to: i think its all on a cd by RDC12

I didn't find your model. Can you share the link to Dell's support page on your desktop?


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Yeah...

by RDC12 - 6/11/08 1:52 PM

In Reply to: Then let's find the Dell manual. by R. Proffitt Moderator

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/


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That's a SATA drive.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/11/08 2:17 PM

In Reply to: Is this hard disk a SATA drive? by R. Proffitt Moderator

Look at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/parts.htm#wp1054037

Also I see you were given XP MEDIA CENTER and not XP HOME? Is that amiss?

Anyhow, this is what you want.

Floppy Configuration Utility - Intel Matrix Storage Manager [F6FLPY32.ZIP]

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/detail_desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=2101&DwnldID=9727&lang=eng

Bob
PS. Next I'll bet you don't have the required floppy drive. But you can get those cheap. Why is it needed? And how did they install XP without one? Hint: I carry an USB Floppy Drive in my kit bag for such installs.


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I think my computer is just being a....

by RDC12 - 6/12/08 3:32 PM

In Reply to: That's a SATA drive. by R. Proffitt Moderator

it keeps saying it can't find text setup. i have to include written instructions for it as well?


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Share with me the directory of said floppy.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/12/08 5:41 PM

In Reply to: I think my computer is just being a.... by RDC12

Also, you do have the required XP SP2 OS CD? That error pops up on pre SP2 XP CDs.


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I know...

by RDC12 - 6/12/08 9:06 PM

In Reply to: Share with me the directory of said floppy. by R. Proffitt Moderator

I figured it out, I had to reconfigure the hard drive settings and the os is recognizing it now. I'm trying to figure out how to recover the information in the registry if i can. i keep trying to execute a txt file saved to a floppy but all i can do is just show the text using MOVE or TYPE. Otherwise i get Access Is Denied when i typed MD. i got the recovery information from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us.


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Type this into google.com

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/13/08 3:33 AM

In Reply to: I know... by RDC12

XP TAKE OWNERSHIP


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