Windows XP problems booting.

[btcomm1]

So I kept trying to boot windows and it says something similiar to could not find C:\windows\system32\SYSTEM or something like that. I tried multiple times it kept doing the same thing. I booted off a cd and I was browsed aroung the HD to see if files were still there and they were. I turned off the computer, moved it, plugged it in and it now it's booting back into windows like nothing happened. I have rebooted multiple times and so far it seems like it's not having any issues, but can I trust it?

What might have caused that and is it just as likely to start doing it again if I don't do something more to it?

 

[dclive]

Ensure you have system restore turned on - that will put a (backup, kinda) copy of your registry (that's what got corrupted) into c:\system volume information, and a utility like BartPE (hey, make a bartpe boot CD or usb key while you're at it...) can put those registries back into the original locations, if that issue happens again.

 

[btcomm1]

Well, that would be fine for me but this computer is not mine. Is there anything else I could do to try to ensure that it won't happen again?

 

[dclive]

Yes, as indicated, system volume information holds copies of the registry.

 

[PegLeg]

The last time I saw that error screen, the HDD died within the week.

 

[dclive]

Agreed. The basic issue is that something caused the registry to become corrupt - either a disk event, a bad write event, or a bad program. Determining which can be fairly difficult. System Restore keeps a nice copy of those registry files in c:\system volume information, though, so if you ever did need to go back to a prior version, it's right there. Boot with BartPE, rename the files, copy them to the right place, and boom - you're all set.