System Files Missing II -- NEW USER NEEDS HELP

Re: System Files Missing II -- NEW USER NEEDS HELP

Thanks for looking at this. Maybe I should have posted a new topic -- but I found this thread when I googled about Windows XP registry problems and "config.sys" problems. My case isn't the same, but I had the same problem starting up with the error message ending in ..config/system. I want on Dell forums and found your advice here. I got the system running, but haven't been able to fix the problems caused by the reboot. I am not sure if running the Microsoft support recovery console plan mentioned in these posts (and the Dell posts) is the right thing to do.

My system:

Dell Dimension 4400
Windows XP Home 2002
Service packs 1&2 (before restoring at least)
Upgraded to 768 RAM at least a year ago, no known problems
Disk Defrag says: 74.53 GB Capacity with 39.39 GB Free for the C drive (updated over year ago) -- old D drive 18.58 with 4.32 Free (just put more on D drive as back-up in case recovery does not work)

What advice (from a link at Dell) I used to recover: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
This worked in starting XP. The main problem was display and computer running slowly -- the ATI Radeon display driver could not be reinstalled -- it would not allow it "The RPC server is unavailable." Everything seems slow -- I can get on Word -- but usually after an error -- and going through webpages is slower -- maybe just because of lack of ATI driver and "hydravison" driver for it -- but maybe more. The disk defrag will not allow defragmentation on either drive (nothing happens.) The Stand-by option is not offered when I log-out. Is this a version of running in a Safe Mode? I think the McAfee from AOL was taken off, although that may have happened when I downloaded your recommended Avast!. The Avast did find one bad file in the downloaded files -- I'm sorry I didn't write it down. My instinct is that this had nothing to do with current problem, but can't be sure. Also, I tried to check the mem as you suggested, but could not get it to run -- I think my unzip program is missing or not working, and I haven't had to use one in a long time. I'll get one if it is vital, but right now I want to put out my cry for help!

I have my system restore set up to maximum, but (again) it is useless -- it offers me a chance to restore only after I recovered though it should have had point(s) on file, I think.

I did not go right to the Microsoft XP "How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting" (and am not sure I should now) because of its warning at the top of the article not to use if your windows was installed OEM because of administration access problems and I dimly remember in the early days of my computer having problems with the administration password. I've found that the default is supposed to be blank, but I was/am not eager to risk getting locked out of the data on my C drive which I can't really back-up all of it cost/time effectively. I also don't know if doing that will make any difference.

This is running on too long, so I'll hope for some good advice before trying (soon) to fix it the Microsoft way. Thank you very much!

 

Re: System Files Missing

By the way, I have a fully legal, registered copy of XP installed by Dell -- if that has been preventing anyone responding to me.

 

Re: System Files Missing

Not at all. We prefer you to make a new thread with your issue, however, and not add on to this one.

 

Re: System Files Missing

We can close this now. He has another thread already