XP sp2 won't even boot in safe mode

[eljaye925]

Hi,

This is my Dad's laptop that I get to try to fix :frown:.

This is the error message when attempting to boot, even in safe mode.

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

His notebook doesn't have an XP install CD, only restore CDs.

I would like to avoid reformatting if possible. He has stuff on this computer that's not backed up.

Can I use regular XP install CD to try and do a repair install? Will that wreck the oem wimdows install?

Or are there any other ways to fix this problem?

Thanks for the help!

L.J.

P.S. Could this be a hardware issue ie. hardrive since I can't boot in safe mode?

 

[montag451]

You can try to tap F8 to get into the boot menu, and TRY last know configuration.
If that works, you are lucky - but there is NOTHING to lose by trying it.

If not, then shove in your xp cd, and at the second, (not the first) option to repair the current windows configuration - select that.
Wish you luck.
Let us know.

 

[eljaye925]

Thanks for the reply.

I've tried the safe mode option with try last known config. Didn't work.

Can you confirm that any ole XP install CD will work. I've never tried to repair windows. Usually just reformat and install. I'm wondering if I will run into any "activation issues" since I'm not using the windows install that came with the laptop.

Thanks,

L.J.

 

[montag451]

I can't confirm that ANY cd will work -
For instance, if the machine had OEM copy, then I'm not sure that it would work - but, at the worst, it will tell you that during installation, and won't make things worse.

 

[Mutilator]

You could give chkdsk /r a try - I've seen that fix nonbootable XP machines several times. You can run this in Recovery Console or you can use something like a WinPE disk.

As for the activation issue - as long as the CD you use will accept your CD Key that should be stuck on the laptop you shouldn't have any problems. Worst case scenerio is you have to call MS and tell them why you reinstalled the OS and they'll give you another key over the phone.

 

[eljaye925]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll give it a go. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.

L.J.

 

[montag451]

Give it an hour, you'll post back with a big smile on your face.

 

[eljaye925]

I decided to try the chkdsk /r in recovery console 1st since it was easy, and it worked. :thumbsup:

It took a long time thou. It's a 60gig drive that took about 90min to get thru the chkdsk. It got up to 50% in about ten minutes, then about another 25min to get to 79%, then it dropped back to 51%. It slowly started to creep up then when it got to about 80% it finished fast. All told about an hour and a half.

Is this normal? Or could this be a sign of a drive going bad?

Thanks again for your help!

L.J.

 

[montag451]

Download a SMART yoot from your drive manufacturer and that will alert when the odds of your drive going bad increases.

 

[Mutilator]

Glad to see it worked. I'd say 90 min sounds normal... it takes quite a while for chkdsk to run - obviously the larger the driver the longer it'll take.
If you're worried about it you could always download some drive diagnostics tools from the HD manufacturer.

 

[imported_nocturne]

Basically, windows couldn't find a driver to boot into windows at all. I'm glad to see the chkdsk recovered it, as it is a pain to fix otherwise (got to create a ntfs boot disk with a copy of the needed file).

 

[eljaye925]

I just wanted to say thanks again.

I deleted some junk, defragged his drive, ran spybot S&D plus ad-aware, and then made an image with Acronis Drive Image.

Hopefully he will start backing up :light:

L.J.

 

[Nocturnal]

No, not any ole disk will repair Windows. Once you get to the cd-key portion if it isn't the right disk i.e. OEM, retail, upgrade, it will not take your cd-key. The disks do have differences. However, if you have access to an OEM disk, you should be able to do a repair install.