My computer wouldn't boot this morning because of a missing or corrupt \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM file. The screen tells me to insert my OS CD & to type r at the first screen. Problem is: when I insert the CD that came with the computer - it's Dell trademarked & is officially a "reinstallation" CD - NOTHING, but NOTHING happens. Yes, the CD drive light flashes, but that is IT. Help, please. Thanks!

can you tap F8 at bootup to get into safe mode? If so, try Last Good Know Configuration. If that doesn't work, try getting into safe mode and choosing system restore and restoring to a date that worked. You may want to try a Repair Install....it will look like a fresh install, but you won't lose any programs files, etc, except any crititical updates that you installed. You'll have to update criticals again after it repairs http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/ helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

windows keeps a 'good' copy of the most crucial system files (i.e 'system' in the sub folder 'repair' unfortunately, in order to access the recovery console (and copy this file manually to it's original location) you need a bootable windows xp cd. you may get around this with a linux live cd, some have pre installed ntfs tools that makes them suitable windows system recovery. download iso image here and burn it on to a CD: http://www.knoppix.org/ Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

nope, F8, boot safe mode or other options will not work with 'kaputt' system file Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

and for 'nothing happens' with this reinstallation cd ... check your system bios (F2 during start up) ... 1st boot device must be set to CD ROM. but a complete re-installation might NOT be necessary. in cases like that it's often good enough to replace the dameged file with the copy from the 'repair' folder Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

Here's the Microsoft's page for help with that problem: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/ Don't know how much it will help, since you have a Dell PC and no Microsoft install CD. Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Thanks for the suggestions! Just before the error message comes up, there's a Dell logo screen that tells you F2 for setup & F12 for boot menu in the upper right corner. THAT doesn't even work. Any key EXCEPT F12 only causes the computer to do the little it's been doing. F12 has no effect whatever. Is this sounding as if my hard drive has crashed? Or is it mainly that I don't have a bootable WinXP CD? If the latter, how do I make sure next time we buy a computer, we're not stuck like that again? Thanks again!