NEED HELP - XP WONT BOOT

[metroplex]

One of my registry files got corrupted: C:\windows\system32\config\system

and I tried to go into the recovery console to repair it.

I copied it to a .BAK and restored the original system.sav and rebooted

then it keeps on booting into Windows XP Setup and I can't get out of it. I try safe mode and it tells me XP Setup can't boot into safe mode.

wtf is going on????

every time I try to go into the recovery console it asks for an admin password.

The first time I went into the console it didn't ask for one.

The next time it asked, I entered nothing and it ran.

Now there's a password that it somehow set by itself.

Windows 2000 Pro did a similar thing before I ditched it - it totally deleted my C:\Progra~1\ directory, and then corrupted my registry files. I am not overclocking my system BTW

Now XP Pro SP-1 is doing this all over again.

Please help

thanks in advance

XP Pro SP-1, NTFS file system

 

[metroplex]

It loads into the Setup GUI and asks for "The Compact Disc Labeled Windows XP Pro SP-1"

then it asks for asms in the CDROM Drive:\i386

When I load the XP Pro CD it fails and reboots.

When I press F8, it goes into the text menu and each option leads to the same Setup GUI.

For Sfae Mode, Safe Mode w/ Command Prompt, it tells me Setup cannot load in safe mode.

Please help!

 

[Kevin]

Have you tried the Repair function when you put in the XP CD?

 

[metroplex]

the automated system recovery?

It asks for the ASR diskette which I don't have...

other than that, the "R" option to go into the recovery console now results in it asking for an admin password that I didn't set (First time, no password. second time - it asks for a pwd i enter nothing and it works, third time it asks for a pwd and nothing works)

What should I do once I get into the recovery console?

 

[Kevin]

Put the CD in and boot. Then go to setup. It should ask you if you want to install or repair...

 

[metroplex]

Ok using the repair feature, it deleted a bunch of drivers and its currently copying more from the CD.

its still at 10%, lots of files being copied

 

[Kevin]

You'll still keep your programs and files in-tact Most likely you're going to have to download a bunch of security updates though. Its way better than losing everything. I'm sure there might have been a quicker way, but if it works, it works...

 

[metroplex]

Ok it rebooted and right after the boot logo screen (where you have that knight rider-ish thingy) disappears it "hangs" with a black screen (monitor is still powered on, not in power save mode) and the HD LED blinks gently every few seconds..

should I try the repair option again?

 

[Kevin]

Well, I'm lost.

Have you checked if all your internal cables are tight? When you repaired, did it spit back any errors?

 

[metroplex]

during the repair process it just started to delete a lot of .sys .dll .chm files and copied stuff from the CD-ROM.

Now I can't reboot into safe mode, safe mode w/ command prompt, or boot normally...
I'll try some other stuff, but thanks for your help tho.

 

[Kevin]

How did you corrupt the registry any way?

 

[metroplex]

No idea, all I did was turn on the computer this morning and all heck broke loose.

Last night I was just playing America's Army 1.6.0 w/o any problems.

 

[Kevin]

So, is everything cool yet?

 

[metroplex]

I had to reformat the hard drive but i later found I could have used Fixboot or another program to repair the possibly corrupted NTLDR or boot partition.

anyhow its all good cause I had everything backed up.

Thanks for your help!