Hi Guys
I logged on to my PC today and I started getting the above error. It tells me to load the Windows XP CD but since I have the piratedversion I cant do that
What should I do? Does tis mean that all data will be erased?
Pls help me.
tanya
"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."
Looks like you suffered a hard drive failure. No other reason why files will suddenly go missing.
can u log in in safe mode?
if yes try sfc with the scannow switch.
start > run > sfc /scannow
dont forget to put windows disk before tht.
if not simply boot with ur cd rom and repair … it wont matter if u have pi!@#$%^ ver or ori…
Well it isnt hardware failure as in needs RMA. It could be due due to failure of read/write due to many reaons and now the file is corrupt. And most likelly that file will still be present there
Well I am saying this coz it has happened with me way too many times over the years. And it always happens when the computer shuts down abruptly during boot. (I dont have a UPS)
And well the only solution that I could find was reinstall or repair during reinstall (which I think is same as re-install anyway).
@X-86 - nope I dont think even that is possible coz that file holds the sytem hardware config and without that even safe mode wont work.
is it the file hall.dll missing or surrupt .. in tht case u have no options other than rpair .. if its not hal.dll u can try restoring the file from xp automated system recovery command line .
the file ur restoring depends on the file tht is corrupted .. say ntdlr is missin thers another way out then.
one thing u can try is “last known good configuration”.. after running a chkdsk from automated sys recovery with the /r switch.
no it isnt hal.dll.. it has nothing to do with that..
anyway i got this from a forum and this is what i always do
Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit “r” to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!
and well there is no other solution for this.. you wont lose any data using this method though.. all your mydocuments contents would still be there. i mean even if you reinstall but dont format.
yep repair .. is the best and in most cases the only solution.
but problem with epair is tht i’ve found it takes up cinsiderably huge hdd space and windows slows down than before. 
can be done through dif ways too though Corrupt Hive
easiest is repair imho 
I had the exact same problem, fixed by using:
It is the actual article which has been copied (in part) above in the article linked to by x86, only the MS article is much more complete. So use the link I have presented, it has many more steps mentioned. I don’t know whether the steps in the link by x86 will be enough.
Also, I can confirm the above procedure (from the knowledge base article) works perfectly.
ok how do I repair? As I said I dont have the windows disc.Its a pirated version which the computer guy installed!
Well you have a problem there which I can’t solve. Me, I have recovery console installed onto the comp too.
happened to me when i didnt shut down my PC properly
I kn man, I have DESU (or whtver they call it now) to thnk for this mess and my own stupidity of not gettin the UPS repaired! Im just wooried abt my documents and music!!
just pop in ur XP CD inside -
Press Enter on the welcome prompt & start a NEW install. Setup then detects XP instance installed & give a Repair option, Give it a go. it will exactly take the same time it takes to install XP but wil actually be a full thorough repair.
note that u do not select R option at the First prompt, start a new install at the 1st prompt & then press repair option when XP is detected on ur 1st partition. give it a thorough check.
U may need to reinstall any hotfixes though, good luck
Arrey yaar, didn’t you read! She doesn’t have an XP CD.
You will need to get an XP cd for it period.