\windows\system32\config\system

[gsoublis]

I am hoping someone can help me out on an issue I am experiencing. I have a Dell Dimension 4600C that I am about to throw out the window and I do not mean that figuratively. The desktop stopped working one day and I contacted Dell support so they could tell me that I need a new power supply and a new motherboard. Going the cheap route I ended up getting a power supply, installed it tonight powered up and everything was working fine. I noticed that my McAfee was not up to date so I started with the update. Everything worked fine and after the 4th reboot I got the following message: When I boot up I get the following message: windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system

Now back to dell chat room. The guy tells me that I need to install the Windows XP recovery disk which I do and follow his steps and when I try to repair using the recovery console (c:> chkdsk /r) I now get the following message: The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems.

The only thing I can remember is that right before the 4th reboot I inadvertantlely allowed mcafee to allow a registry change. Could this be the problem.

Dell is telling me I need a new hard drive but I find that hard to believe as it worked fine until the registry change.

Any help on this issue is greatly appreciated.

 

[Po`Girl]

Hi,

I don`t think it`s the HD either.Most config/system errors are software.

The good news is,you can boot to the Recovery Console.

This is not always the case.

There is a page HERE that gives you your basic options.Options 3,4 and 5 seem likely.

If you have another computer to hand,that will help with No.4

 

[gsoublis]

Thank you for the link. I will try it tongiht and let you know how it turned out.