XP not booting

[LucaBrasi1]

I believe this isn't related to the new Novarg virus but a stupid user. He was scanning his drive across the internet from some company I never heard of. And he deleted a file because it was infected "which he failed to write down" now xp gets an error when booting the file is missing or corrupt c:\winnt\system32\config\system. Can't boot to safe mode and Last Good configuration doesn't work. This is an IBM netvista that doesn't ship out any disks with new workstations. Any suggestions?

 

[vbainchicago]

Try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

VBAINCHICAGO

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The Best of the (free) Web

 

[linney]

Can you get into Recovery Console on your machine? If it is not loaded on your machine, you can run it from any XP CD, or even a 2000 CD.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

823614 - Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the C:\windows\system32\config\system File is Missing or Corrupt

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823614&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[Freestone]

Rather than shipping CDs, IBM started including a service (recovery) partition on the system they ship, usually accessed by pressing F11 early and often after a cold boot. Perhaps your ailing workstation has this partition.

 

[LucaBrasi1]

It does have the IBM partition but it looks like they force you into a format drive and not just a reinstall.

 

[Freestone]

Yes, a reformat and reinstall is correct, and I neglected to mention that, for which I apologize. If the system is under warranty, call IBM and describe the situation, you may get help there. I guess I should put a stress on the word may, but you never know until you try.

 

[linney]

If you cannot start your computer, you can run the Recovery Console from the Microsoft Windows XP startup disks (or the Windows XP CD-ROM). This article describes how to perform this task of creating floppies so you can load the Recovery Console via the options at the beginning of XP Setup, you do not have to do the setup of XP after using the Recovery Console. You will only be using the Recovery Console option to repair your current installation.

310994 - Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310994&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

You will have some access if you can load the XP Recovery Console onto the machine.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

You will have to download files from Microsoft to put onto Floppies to achieve this.

http://www.wown.com/j_helmig/wxprcons.htm

310994 - Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q310994

Once you have the Recovery Console loaded you may proceed with this fix for your original error message.

823614 - Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the C:\windows\system32\config\system File is Missing or Corrupt

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823614&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH