WINDOWS XP PROBLEM WILL NOT START

[superflymx6]

Ok, its a lap top and I have not any many problems with it. I have McAfee(all up to date) virus scan, adware scan and search and destroy. I run both of the adware programs a few times a day. Plus I just ran the virus scan a few days ago.

Ok, my computer start to tick and it would not stop. The ticking was coming from the hard drive area of the computer. so I turned the computer off and restarted it but when I did this it says this:

"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 using the original Set CD-ROM.

Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair

Ok, I have a Quick Restore CD, and the computer came with Windows XP but I dont see a CD labeled Setup. I will keep looking though.

I have this other laptop to check this post so please help.

What should i do??? need help ASAP please, the computer is used for school and I am summer school now

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: superflymx6
Ok, its a lap top and I have not any many problems with it. I have McAfee(all up to date) virus scan, adware scan and search and destroy. I run both of the adware programs a few times a day. Plus I just ran the virus scan a few days ago.

Ok, my computer start to tick and it would not stop. The ticking was coming from the hard drive area of the computer. so I turned the computer off and restarted it but when I did this it says this:

"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 using the original Set CD-ROM.

Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair

Ok, I have a Quick Restore CD, and the computer came with Windows XP but I dont see a CD labeled Setup. I will keep looking though.

I have this other laptop to check this post so please help.

What should i do??? need help ASAP please, the computer is used for school and I am summer school now

Sorry to tell you this but the "Ticking" in the hard drive is probably the well known tick of death of the hard drive, and that is what cause the error " Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM " that you have now. Here is the link from microsoft on how to recover from the error:

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

It may or may not work depending on the status of your hard disk. Read it through and get prepared first then when you have the machine back up and running I would back up everything I need and get ready to replace the hard disk.

pcgeek11

 

[ShaneDOTM]

yep, your hardrive is on the short road to harddrive heaven. If you can get it to boot again, back everything up and buy a new harddrive.
good luck,