Help!

[KlumpDud]

Look at my sig to see what I have.

Yesterday, I shutdown improperly (by pressing the power button), and the next time I tried to start up my computer, I get an error message.

The message occurs when you first start up and there is a black screen with a white bar that loads at the bottom. The error says:

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMced startup options for Windows 2000, press F8. You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000 Setup using the original setup floppy disk or CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

I tried using the repair option on the installation CD, and I had the Emergency Repair Disk when it asked me. However, it didn't work and I still have the same problem.

Any help is much appreciated!

[Surge1243]

When you say that the repair didn't work, do you mean it went through the repair procedure and the problem still exists, or did the repair procedure not work at all? If that's the case, were there any errors as to why the repair utility did not work?

[Markoman01027]

Are you able to boot up into Safe Mode at all?

[Markoman01027]

Maybe your Hard Drive been damaged due to the improper shut-down. I would run a HD diagnostics utility to double check on your drive, incase something is screwed up.

[KlumpDud]

Ok, I ran the repair again for the hell of it, and it finishes, but when it reboots, here's what it does now:

When the white bar is loading at the bottom, it loads all the way and then just sits there and does nothing, so I'm left staring at a black screen with a solid white bar across the bottom.

When I tried booting in safe mode, same thing happens.

[JustinLerner]

In my %windir%\System32\config directory I only have four "system" named files.

system
system.alt
system.log
system.sav

Both system and system.alt are 9MB in size on my PC and these files lead me to believe that the files are part of the boot process, for selecting either a normal boot or selecting a last known good config boot.

If you haven't tried rebooting and selecting F8 and Last Known Good Configuration, then you probably need to go back into the Recovery Console and select the option to restore from a command line prompt, which is more involved and difficult if you don't know what you are doing.

Getting the same 'system' named file off the CD may not work, since this file may be adapted to reflect actual hardware and settings on your PC.

These are suggestions, but by no means any implications that any such information will be successful. Attempt at your own risk.

[mike breck]

Switch on the PC.
Press F8 after the Memory count.
If a menu appears asking you which operating system you want to start, press F8 again.
In the Windows Advanced Options Menu, highlight "Last Known Good Configuration" and press Enter.
If another menu appears asking which Operating System to start, highlight Windows XP (Home or Professional, depending on which version you have installed) and press Enter.

If that doesn't work try System Restore.

Bootup the PC. After the memory count, press F8.
In the Windows Advanced Options Menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
If another menu appears asking which operating system you wish to start, highlight Windows XP (Home or Professional, depending on which version you have installed) and press Enter.
When a box comes up stating you are running in Safe Mode, click "No" to use System Restore.
System Restore will restore the system to an earlier configuration, when it was starting properly.
In the System Restore window, select "Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time" and click Next.
In the Select A Restore Point page, click a recent bold date in the calender when you think the system was working.
On the same page, click a Restore point in the list and click Next.
System Restore will warn you to close programs and files.
Click Next.
System Restore will then Restore system files from the backup and will restart the PC.
It will then show a message saying the Restore was completed.

HTH

[Blakhart]

If you can't get any further, slave this drive into another computer to save what you will from it. Burn to cd or to a hdd. Then zero the bad drive and format/install. Learned ya lesson??

[KlumpDud]

I tried going to Last Known Good Configuration and I still get the same problem.

Mike Breck, I have Windows 2000, not XP.

JustinLerner, could you please explain to me how to go through the command prompt?

By the way Blakhart, the improper shut down was due to a power outage. I just didn't bother explaining in the first place...apparently my surge protector didn't do its job too well.

Don't give up on me, guys! There's got to be a way to boot up!

[Battery Powered]

The same sort of thing happened to me on 2000 server,

i was left with no option but to go for the method Blakhart mentioned as I had lots of coursework due in and needed a quick fix solution

if all else fails i would say to go with what blakhart said, its not nice but it will sort ur problem out quick

[DFastLane]

If you can boot to a safe mode command prompt, use SFC (System File Checker).

If you can't get that far in the boot process you can try this:

Boot to the 2k cd and go through the install like you were doing a fresh install (do not choose the first repair option). If you select the current windows partition for the installation, it will ask you if you want to repair the current windows installation and do an overlay install.

Be careful not to format the drive or do anything but a repair overlay though.

[KlumpDud]

DFastLane,

Can't boot to safe mode w/ command prompt, same thing happens.

I did what you said and re-installed over it, and now I can boot up. I'll have to redo all my settings but at least my program files are still there.

Thanks!