I'm stuck in a catch 22. A file corrupted, and I can't boot Windows, except with a startup disc (tried every possible safe mode or other alternative startup option--all return to same error message about \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMced corrupt file).

My computer doesn't naturally have any disc drives, so I purchased both a Windows XP cd, and an external CD drive, but I can't get the drivers for the CD drive onto the computer (and thus, can't get computer to recognize disc drive) without Windows, and I can't get Windows onto the computer without a CD drive. Any suggestions? DOS kept crossing my mind, but I can't seem to get any DOS prompt to come up (tried F5).

Please help--I really need my laptop for a business trip!

2 options that I know of:

1:buy a disk drive if your pc will hold one

2:remove your hard drive and hook it up to a desktop and boot with a windows cd doing a repair.

maybe someone knows something easier.

Yep!

[1] Take XP back and get a refund
[2] There is no DOS in w2000
[3] Get a DOS boot disk with USB support

http://www.freedos.org/freedos/news/newsitem/149.html

http://www.computing.net/dos/wwwboard/forum/15205.html

http://www.fixup.net/tips/usbdos/

and so on

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

[1] Take XP back and get a refund

In the U.S., opened software isn't refundable except for exchange of the same brand. The only way to get refund is by corresponding with the manufacturer (how long it will take I have no idea).

i_XpUser

It's very possible that the Windows 2000 installation files are on your HDD

Hi

you need a pcmcia cdrom ,& if possible to get hold of hiren's or equivalent boot cd,
should be able to read copy files etc.
also see
http://trinux.sourceforge.net/

though help with linux is best asked for on the linux C.net

regards

I almost wrote a lengthy reply, but here goes.

First, research that there isn't some special procedure RIGHT ON THE HARD DISK to recover the system. I'm not familiar with your machine. Otherwise:

I THINK this will work.

Assuming to install either XP or W2K, and assuming you have the required CD

Buy one of these:

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=906&sku=17705&engine=adwords!654&keyword=%28laptop+hard+drive+adaptor%29

which will allow you to work over your hard drive, while actually in your desktop

Boot the desktop, with the Xp cd in the drive, and boot to a Windblows98 floppy.

Fdisk, repartition the drive, and format in FAT32. You may have to boot to the XP cd in order to remove the NTFS partition.

For now, however, you need a FAT partition.

One way to do this is, partition most of the drive as primary, and make a secondary partition of say, 500 mb

"Format/s" the main partition so it will boot in DOS

"format" the second, smaller partition.

Make a directory (md I386) on the small second partition. Switch to the same directory on the cdrom.

Copy all files (copy *.*) out of the CDROM \I386 directory to the one you made.

(Should be D:\I386)

It would be faster if you can do a littel research and load smartdrv on the floppy

When done, pop the hard drive back into the laptop, boot to C:

Switch to D:\I386, and run winnt.exe from there.

You should be able to install XP or W2K that way, and end up either with a FAT32 C: drive or NTFS C: drive.

I can't IMAGINE owning a laptop without a secondary boot device.

You might also research your laptop, the manual, and support site. For all I know, it might support a network or USB boot.

indeed this works,
however i used a boot floppy i.s.o. a bootable c partition.

thanks, this really helped me out!