What the heck?...

My system was working fine then it just stiffed up on me. I had to unplug it to shut down...nothing worked. I did a surface scan of the HD and it came out fine but now when I boot up...the XP logo doesn't show then this error shows up...

WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

uhhh...can I fix this withought having to format?

HEEELLPPP!!!!!! :cry:

Try starting the computer using The Last Known Good Configuration, more information and instructions HERE

Its fairly simple I have posted details here
Repair windows\system32\config\system error

Hope it helps you


Webecho

Do you know what causes this problem other then the computer not being shut down properly

Mine was down to a few power cuts in the area ...I believe.
Same as not shutting down properly really.

Not experienced it from any other causes

that happened 2 me it wos something wrong with tha bios. i had 2 get sum guy 2 come and fix it but i didnt hav 2 reformat. so i'd just call the company ur PC came from if it had warranty or take it 2 a PC repair shop

or if u can change the bios yourself if your professional

when this happens iv always used the following to fix the problem,

use windows disk and boot from tht...
on the first scren select "Repair" or "r"

the select the windows installation to enter... usually "1"

then hit enter,

then run the following comands in the following order,

1) FIXBOOT
2) FIXMBR
3) CHKDSK /P/R
4) EXIT

then select start windows normally if prompted.... should work from thn on...

- has saved my bacon in shop many times

When i put in the cd the drive is laboring bt i still get the message windows fail--

Get it to push,push ,push , oh sorry i thought you said it was in labor.


explain you problem ,so we don't have to read all the old post in this old thread that you have hijacked !