Hi Guys, maybe some one here could help me with a problem I'm having with my Desk Top Computer, I have been using the Lappy for the last week now.
I usually have my main machine on all the time and it hibernates after 45 minutes, and goes to sleep so to speak, saves heaps of time turning OFF and ON
Anyway I had to load some Virus Protection Software last week and it needed a restart.
Well I figured that would be fine, it went through the normal start up screen and then suddenly told me that.
WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEMS32\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
Well I have tried this to no avail, and seeing that I'm not that computer minded thought you guys might be able to give me some advice, please
WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEMS32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
I've had that happen once and had to install another copy of Windows on another partition to get the box up.
Is your boot drive (probably C) short of space?
Windows tries to rewrite the system file fairly often. When it does that it deletes the backup version, renames the current version file and creates a new one.
If there isn't enough space because something has come along in the meantime and left less than the space required for a new system file, windows doesn't flag the new file as corrupt, and doesn't tell you.
This can happen again, and then you don't have a backup. Until you reboot things are fine.
If "R" doesn't work you are probably up for a rebuild.
<hat mode=unix>But then this is Windows. You have to rebuild it every 6 months anyway to keep it running smoothly.</hat>
I've never had the problems with NAV that many complain about, but I do use Corporate editions. Except for it not cleaning up after Liveupdate has run, and that only happens when the system is short of disk space.
There is an alternative Leon. Don't press R at the first screen. Let it go right through to installing windows and it will ak if you wish to repair the existing install. Say yes and let it do its job. You'll need to input the serial number during it, but apart from that it requires no other input but continue clicks.
Good luck with the fix
Not an expert by any mean but it sounds to me that if this machine hasn't booted in a while the file corruption might have happened a while ago, not necessarily related to the Norton installation? Have you tried by any chance F8/Last known good configuration or start it in Safe Mode?
G'Day Leon. The advice from Bill is probably the best to follow. Insert your windows disk in the drive, Shut down computer, reboot and on startup hit delete or whatever key takes you to the bios. Go to the boot options section, select boot from CD. then save f10 usually and then follow Bills method. Although I am not a fan of windows it does provide some good repair options.
You could also try booting it in safe mode and see if there is a backup of this file in the directory and just rename it or make a copy and rename it back into the directory.
Good luck.
I avoid Norton Anti Virus like the plague. It is actually too severe and will show up many problems that don't show elsewhere.
It does sound like your HDD may be getting sick but have you tried starting with the F8 key pressed to get the repair start window that gives the options of start up methods. Try start first from "Safe mode" then "Last Known Good Configuration". At least Norton saves the configuration before it installs. If safe mode works go to control panel and remove Norton then erase it from the hard disk. (this does not always work because of the way Norton installs itself)
Failing this there are some tricks to use if you have your original disk. Talk to me further about this if the above fails.
MS's work around.
I've had this before too...Can be done, but it may not work at worst case scenario.
Norton, as above, I avoid it at all costs.
Over the years, when errors happen like this, I just re-install Windows. After many times of spending hours to work around a re-install, I've just got used to re-install because it is the fastest way possible to get back up and running.
I have many partitions, so my data isn't wiped (learned by experience the hard way), just windows is wiped, but the pain is also to re-install all the other packages.
I know this may not be some people's "kettle of fish", but it is probably the better way to start afresh.
Not that this will help you resolve the problem at hand Leon, but you could try installing Acronis True Image or other backup software when you're back up and running. You can set it to run a backup of your C partition to another partition on a schedule.
Should the need arise, you can boot from the Acronis boot media to restore from your last good backup and you're all set once again.
Have a listen to the hard drive in question to see if it's making any unusual repetitive sounds like ticking sounds. If it is, you probably have a head that may be starting to tilt / bad sectors etc and it's time to swap the drive out. Usually no good can come of retaining a PC hard drive that's doing re-reads.
If you have critical files on that drive and have decided to swap it out, don't spin it up again until you're ready to copy your files from it. Usually bad drives get worse with time.
Good luck with your repair. If you decide to do a re-install of XP, it might be worth telling the installer to format the drive NTFS (not a Quick format - which only re-writes the table of contents etc but doesn't touch every sector). This way, you'll find out if there are any bad sectors as the format progresses. If there are bad / unreadable sectors, the format probably won't finish, and it's time to grab a new drive or perhaps perform some percussion maintenance on the old drive.
Thanks guys, I dose not matter what I do nothing works, so my question is this.
If I take the machine to a fellow I know how actually built this machine, and he is a computer expert, can the files on the stuffed HD be transfer to a new HD.
If not do I just format the lot and try and reinstal with the original disc.
I have all my files other than programs backed up on an external drive, and I do have all the discs for the programs that will be lost.
Format and rebuild Leon. The machine and disk is probably due for a rebuild if the truth be known. He will probably charge an arm and a leg and end up with the same result.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned, you could attempt to do a system restore and go back to a date when you know it was working properly. If it wont boot up, you might need to try and start it in safe mode.
Thanks guys, I dose not matter what I do nothing works, so my question is this.
If I take the machine to a fellow I know how actually built this machine, and he is a computer expert, can the files on the stuffed HD be transfer to a new HD.
If not do I just format the lot and try and reinstal with the original disc.
I have all my files other than programs backed up on an external drive, and I do have all the discs for the programs that will be lost.
So what is my best option please.
Leon
Hi Leon
First thing is your comp under any type of warranty if so don't open it or it will be voided.
If you decide on the rebuild and as I was greatly relieved to hear you already have your files backed up I would suggest if you are confident to do it to purchase a new HDD and install it in the computer and do your reinstall on that as I wouldn't trust the old one as it sounds dodgy if you closely look at the old one and note all the connections you should be able to put the new one in the same as the old one. One thing you will have to work out is whether your machine can take SATA HDD or if you need an IDE HDD I have provided pictures the first one is SATA and the second is IDE if you can use SATA it would probably be cheaper that IDE as they don't make them so much now. I have included photo's showing Sata data connector then IDE data connector the IDE power connector and last is the SATA power connector
Last edited by supernova1965; 04-01-2010 at 07:59 AM.
Thanks guys, I dose not matter what I do nothing works, so my question is this.
If I take the machine to a fellow I know how actually built this machine, and he is a computer expert, can the files on the stuffed HD be transfer to a new HD.
If not do I just format the lot and try and reinstal with the original disc.
I have all my files other than programs backed up on an external drive, and I do have all the discs for the programs that will be lost.
So what is my best option please.
Leon
Hi Leon
If you resort to a new HDD and can install it yourself and then put your required files back on it then this sounds like your cheapest solution.
Do not monkey with the old HDD. It is surprising what can be recovered from a defunk HDD with the right equipment. It is a pity you are so far away. I can recover most with my limited equipment and have done so for many of my friends. And I am no expert!
it is XP and it was Nortons Anti Virus.
Have you tried by any chance F8/Last known good configuration or start it in Safe Mode?
