Windows [XP] could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

[Vieux Richard]

Have just been called to a customer with a Toshiba laptop running Windows XP Home Edition with this error message.
Cannot run the Windows Setup CD and select “r” as instructed on the screen as he does not have the Toshiba recovery CD. I only have a Windows XP Professional CD which I tried to boot from, but it was ignored. Tried booting to SAFE mode and Last Known Good Configuration but to no avail.
Tried booting with a Windows XP DOS boot but no drives are recognised other than A: & C:

Not sure what else to try – how compatible are Windows XP HE & Windows XP Professional CDs?

[hobey19]

what is the file that is missing or corrupt? if you knew the file that you could use the recovery console to copy it back

craig

[TheMajor]

what error message?

[Vieux Richard]

Whoops - not sure why this did not copy:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

[[Mystic]]

Originally Posted by Vieux Richard Have just been called to a customer with a Toshiba laptop running Windows XP Home Edition with this error message. Cannot run the Windows Setup CD and select “r” as instructed on the screen as he does not have the Toshiba recovery CD. I only have a Windows XP Professional CD which I tried to boot from, but it was ignored. Tried booting to SAFE mode and Last Known Good Configuration but to no avail. Tried booting with a Windows XP DOS boot but no drives are recognised other than A: & C: Not sure what else to try – how compatible are Windows XP HE & Windows XP Professional CDs?

You need the XP Home cd.

Boot off it, goto install, it will find your installed copy of XP. Now, select the repair option, it should go through and replace all the files.

You will need to install SP2 again after it has finished.

[hobey19]

Originally Posted by [Mystic] You will need to install SP2 again after it has finished.

i dont' think he installed it in the first place. why would he need to install it again?

craig

[Vieux Richard]

Finally fixed the problem - got hold of a XP HE CD, booted and after selecting R, I ran chkdsk /p and then fixboot.

PS I am sure it was due to a virus, as I ran fprot in DOS mode and deleted some viruses before getting the XP HE CD.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

[AlexanderT]

I have the same problem except I can't fix it even with a home ed. cd. it's a dell version, could that be it? it worked on another laptop that isn't a dell, so I'm not sure if this version of xp home ed. is reliable. I mean, a none dell home ed. might work. Anyway, I have a Toshiba Satellite 5205 with xp home and I can't get past the WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM error message. I get no screen with the option to select 'R'.

Thanks,
Alex

[rightcoast]

AFAIK the Dell recovery CD does not give access to the recovery console. I don't have one to check, but other threads here have said that is the case.