XP fried like bacon?

[Magellan]

Hello again,

Came back from a little trip to find my PC giving me the following error:

"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 Setup CD-Rom. Select "r" at the first screen to start repair.

Installing the XP Home CD, I get the following after selecting "r":

"Microsoft Windows XP (TM) Recovery Console. The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality. Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer."

Restarting just brings me back to square 1.

When trying to just install Windows, I get the standard Licensing Agreement spiel. After agreeing, I get the option of installing, recovery or quiting. If I choose install, I get:

"A problem has ben detected and Windows has been shut down to protect your computer..."

stop: 0x0000008e (0xc0000005, 0xf77bef3e, 0xf3c2778, 0x00000000)

setupdd.sys - Address f77bef3e base at f779a000, datestamp 3d6dd67f"

The only new device added is a 7-in-1 card reader and I've rebooted a few times since installing it with no problems.

Any thoughts?

[snooker]

Hi ... I'm not sure if this will help but its worth having a look ... repair xp site http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

Also you can try a system restore , here a link System Restore Frequently Asked Questions
System Restore Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...store_faq.mspx

And then you can try a reformat here is a good way to perform that...

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Note: If you are unable to activate Windows XP via the internet,
then select the option to "activate by telephone".

[speeddude2000]

you have a VIRUS i think. happened to 2 of my xp comps, had 2 reinstall xp in a different folder.

[snooker]

Also just as speeddude2000 suggested it could just be a virus ... If you like to try a scan on your computer try this link here , its a free virus scan

http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

[Magellan]

Thanks for the advice but I can't even get into anything resembling a GUI, let alone using a virus scan. Machine won't get passed the messages stated above. Tried deleting the partition, reinstalling the OS and using the Recovery Console.

[andyms18a]

have a look at this http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q315335 the stop error masage you get is normaly a problam with ram

[Designer]

Had exactly the same message when booting up on my PC when the ram died, worth downloading memtest and checking as it could be the same problem, like I said I got exactly the same file mising or corrupted message but not the same stop messsage.