Missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

[lmark]

When I power up my dell inspiron 1150, the following message appears:

"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 wWindows Setup using the original Setup CD-Rom.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

This happened once before. I had a friend of mine try this repair deal but could not get it to work. He then reloaded the OS from the original disk. The computer worked for another week or so and then started giving the above message again on power up.


Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am not very computer literate.


Thanks in advance,


Larry

 

[kimsland]

Read here: http://www.aade.com/XPhint/XPrecovery.htm
Or here: https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic98544.html

 

[lmark]

Ok, I get to the recovery console and it gives me a c:\WINDOWS>

What next, the instructions are not real clear

 

[kimsland]

There's no way in the world I could quote that thread

Have you read it: http://www.aade.com/XPhint/XPrecovery.htm

Some users just elect to do this:
Microsoft's Windows XP Professional Repair Install step by step
http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

Microsoft's Windows XP Home Repair Install step by step
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/sp2sp3installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

 

[lmark]

Oh I read it, just don't understand most of it

 

[kimsland]

Actually it is difficult, if you haven't done it before

Try the Repair idea (links above)

Or just backup and re-install clean. This post (a lot easier ) can help with that:
https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic123957.html

 

[lmark]

So with this being the second time this has happend in a short time, what are the odds any of this will fix the problem?

 

[kimsland]

I have seen this fault happen twice (or more) even after repairing

The fault can actually be with faulty hardware, namely Ram or Harddrive
These links can help with that (wow it's a link day )
Memtest
Drive Diagnostics

 

[lmark]

Ok, so I ran a diagnostic on the computer. DST short test FAIL.......code 1000-0146 Msg: unit 2ST log contains previous error(s)



What does that mean?

 

[lmark]

Never mind, looks like the hard drive is shot.