[RS001HELP]

Hi, Im new to the techguy forums so please bear with me

Ok.. the other day when i turned on my pc i got the error XP Could not start, the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I run Microsoft Windows home service pack 2.

Also, to complicate things, My computer is lacking a disk drive, so i only have access to USB ports.

I realy need help with this because I havnt got a clue what to do.

[kniht]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

Unfortunately you'll need either Windows XP startup disks that are inserted in a floppy drive or a cdrom that is able to connect using USB to do the above procedure.

[happyrck]

Originally Posted by RS001HELP

My computer is lacking a disk drive, so i only have access to USB ports..

are you saying you do not have a hard drive or you don't have a cd drive...

[RS001HELP]

I DO have the Windows XP boot disk.


I used to have a cd drive but it dissapeared off the face of the earth for some reason (Tried tones of registry fixes to get it back)

Anyway, even if I can get a disk drive that can connect via USB, there are no options in the BIOS to boot from it. Do you know if it will still work?

[happyrck]

go here and get cdgone..
its the one that says...Restore Missing CD Drive.

[RS001HELP]

There is a slight Problem with that..
I cant log onto my Computer
Hence meaning that i am unable to fix it.

[superbeast5]

well my advice is get a cd drive =-). once that is done start the computer and press Delete button to get to your cmos, set the boot sectors to boot by cdrom, once that is done save and reboot your computer, it will say press any key to boot by cd, press any key =-p. a menu will come up for repair, press R, a windows recovery console will come up, type in <bootcfg /rebuild> you will recieve a message that says Add installation to boot list? (Yes/No/All) press <y> then enter it will say Enter Load Identifier, you will either put <Microsoft Windows XP professional> or <Microsoft windows xp home edition> after you type in your edition it will say Enter OS load options type in </fastdetect> and press enter once it is done you should get </windows> type exit and your computer will restart, this should fix your computer without any troubles. although, always do this at your own risk, i had the same problem last night after installing windows XP on a flash drive for a backup, i dont know why it corrupted my hard drive though.

Do not enter <> in the recovery console.

[TheOutcaste]

I would try going into the BIOS and see if the CD is seen by the BIOS. If so, make sure the CD is first in the boot order, then see if you can boot from the XP CD.
Windows will sometimes not see the CD, but if the BIOS does, you should be able to boot with it to follow the procedure in the article linked above by kniht

As you have a Compaq though, you should be aware of this warning from that article:

Warning Do not use the procedure that is described in this article if your computer has an OEM-installed operating system. The system hive on OEM installations creates passwords and user accounts that did not exist previously. If you use the procedure that is described in this article, you may not be able to log back into the recovery console to restore the original registry hives.

Worst case is after doing part one, you won't be able to log into windows or the recovery console. Then you 'll have to use the following method of a live CD or slaving to another PC to recover.

Another option is to use a live CD, or connect the hard drive as a slave (or in an external enclosure) to anoother PC. Then you can start with part 2 and copy the registry files from the System Volume Information folder directly to the Windows\system32\config folder without having to deal with a command line interface, or worrying about the above warning.

Live CDs
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
Knoppix
Ubuntu

If slaved to another PC, this will be useful:
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

HTH

Jerry

[RS001HELP]

OK, Thanks loads for all the help guys
- I have managed to pursuaded my friend to take my pc into work with him so the techies there can fix it. (They can litteraly fix ANYTHING)
So thanks again for all the help but i just dont know what im doing.