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

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \winnt\system32\config\SYSTEM It also say's to reboot and repair the problem by hitting 'R' at the first screen. That doesnt work. It just continues to go to the above error.. Anyone have any ideas? It's actually not my machine, obviously he cant get on here to do this so I'm checking for him. I do know its a 1.4 ghz athlon machine. He checked his email, shut down. Took a shower, came back and rebooted to find that error.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

Thanks Adrenylyne. I will read this thoroughly and try to find a way to make it work, but I did notice right up front that it states to "When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console." which my friend has tried on several attemps only to find that "R" doesnt work. He cant get to the console mode, hence making this whole thing irrelevent. Any thoughts?

 

He is probably doing it wrong.

There is an 'R' for repair and an 'R' for Recovery Console.

Recovery Console is immediatly after booting to CD.

Two separate things.

Make CERTAIN you are booting to CD.

 

okay, I'll tell you what I know. He put the CD in, and rebooted. After the first screen comes up, he hits "R", and nothing happens. Then after a few seconds, he gets the error message. It wont boot from the CD from what he tells me. And by the way, thanks for your time Adrynalyne.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994

Try the XP boot floppies.

 

Thanks Ady

I've created the floppy's for him and will get with him tonight. I hope he has his machine running by now, but if not, thanks to you, I will have something to maybe help him out. Thanks againg. I'll post the results here when all is said and done with the floppy's.

 

okay he did the floppy thing. NO GO. now he boots and then gets the blue screen with the following error. "a problem has been detected and windows shutdown to prevent damage to your computer session 3_initialization_failed
He tried to reboot after hitting the 'reboot normal' and it went to boot screen, the rebooted itself. After trying the different reboot options, such as reboot using the last best known setup etc. the same thing occurs. It will go to the boot screen showing the Windows logo and the blue 'loading' tool and then it crashes and reboots itself. I'm thinking bad cable...any thoughts?
I dont know whats up with that..

 

I would test the ram.

Get the memtest86 utility off this site.