Missing/corrupt Config Sys

Hi Folks

Have a PC that on boot gives this 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 using the original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

Only prob is I don't have the original CD and it wont recognise my cd and just goes back to message.

Equaly it wont let me use a 'floppy' boot disc either.

Will not start in Safe mode either or any other 'F8' options.

I have a HDD caddy can I swap the file on the Hard drive by attaching it to another PC? If so how?

Alternatively if I remove the battery from the mobo and replace will this overide the pc recognising the CD?

Any and all help as always, appreciated.

Hello tpuk57 :)

Is the CD you are trying to use the same as the original XP CD. For example is it HomeSP2 or ProSP2?

Did you go into the BIOS and set the boot order to
Floppy
CDROM
Hard drive
SAVE and EXIT

Put the CD in the drive and then reboot

Does the CD not boot after that?

Elaine

Nope that is the Registry, you can't transfer it from another PC. This is about your only hope:

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents WinXP from starting

To get it to boot from the CD, you may need to go into your BIOS Setup and change the boot order of your drives. You should see which key you need to press during the initial POST screen immediately after you power up. Once you're in Setup, go to "Advanced BIOS settings" or similar, and change the boot order to:

1st boot device = Floppy

2nd boot device = CDROM

3rd boot device = HDD 0

Hi Folks

Yep boot order is set as described, and using same version of XP.

Have tried using the 6 XP boot floppies but it just ignores the cd and floppy drives.

I can take the HDD out and access it from another pc, thought I could get into registry that way but cannot think where to go from there.

Thanks again for help

In that case, do what you suggested and remove the mobo battery. That will reset the CMOS to it's defaults, and hopefully will allow you to boot from the CDROM and floppy drives again.

Hi again

Tried taking mobo battery out for 10 minutes but still no good is there anyway to override the bios setting or is the only way to format HDD?

Thanks again for help

TP

If cant run the install CD take the harddrive out and connect to second pc that works.

Do not replace any files.

Open my computer, right click on drive, select properties, tools tab, error checking [check now].
Check fix errors and scan for bad sectors, start.

Put drive back into computer.