windows/system32/config/system is corrupt or missing - no XP cd

xliizzz

New Member
i rarely shut my desktop windows xp computer off but it sounded loud last night so i did. i turned it on this morning and i got the message that windows could not start because the following file was corrupt or missing(windows/system32/config/system). the message suggested i reboot with the original setup cd and select 'r' at the first screen to repair the file. however, i can't find my original XP cd. what should i do? help!
 
Find your installation disk first or face buying a replacement. In order to manually expand a needed system file, run the system file checker, get to the recovery console to start off with, or even the last option of a repair install if found to be needed you will need an installation disk.

The one possible option without that onhand may still fail to see results. That would be the manual startup of the system restore process to go back to a date days before this came about. Carefully review the steps in this Microsoft article seen at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449 This will outline how to start that from the safe mode/command prompt only option seen in the F8 boot menu.
 
nope that didnt work. i got the same message when i tried rebooting in safe mode with command prompt, safe mode, and last good configuration mode. any other ideas??
 
so basically no matter what, i will need an XP cd. but it is okay to use someone else's? i dont need the one i used on my computer?
 
Say for instance you built the computer yourself and you used an OEM version of Windows xp with SP2 and you lost your cd. All you would need to do is use someone else's XP OEM with SP2 cd and install it but with using your cdkey. You can even burn a copy of it for yourself. If you lost your cdkey you better write it down somewhere and keep it in a safe place. EVen if you bought your computer from say HP, Dell, Compaq, Gateway, Emachines, etc... you can still use an OEM version as long as it was the same version installed on your system. For example... Home edition and Home edition. XP Pro and XP Pro. You can't mix though. You can't use someones XP PRO cd if you have XP Home installed.

Hopefully you understand what I said without confusing you more. I'll try explaining better if not.
 
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