Dead computer

From: Judy (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 08/01/04 

Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 14:21:27 -0700

After running a virus check,I receive the following
message when I turn on the computer:

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 Windows
Setup or using the original setu CD-Rom Select 'r' at the
first screen to start repair.

When I try to boot from safe mode, it appears to try to
boot and then dies after the line:

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\Windows\system32
\config\system.log
and gives me the same Windows could not start because ...
message.

I do not know which virus checker my niece ran. Can this
computer be saved? Are there instructions for creating a
boot CD that would allow me to boot the computer, pull
off her research papers and then use the System Recovery
CDs that came with the computer to do a clean install?

This is on an HP Pavilion ze1250 running Windows XP.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I know
the basics, but would need to download any files since I
don't remember how to create config files and what goes
in them.

Sincerely,
Judy

Relevant Pages

  • Re: PLEASE HELP: 2 ERROR MESSAGES
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  • Re: Problem on start-up
    ... while a repair install should leave your data ... >>Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM ... >>with the option to setup Windows or Repair ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)
  • Re: Can Not repair or boot XP
    ... If the PC does not boot from the CD, it is likely that it is set to boot ... test hard, are CPU, RAM, and hard drives. ... A more advanced boot CD is called the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows. ... getting the repair instead of trying to reinstall ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • RE: Bigtime Crash
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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: computer logs itself off
    ... >>If that fails to resolve the issue, try a Repair Install ... >>Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM ... >>with the option to setup Windows or Repair ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.accessibility)