When I boot, I get "\windows\system32\config\system", and it says to install set-up CD which I do not have; I have a XP Pro installation disk. I put that disk in the CD drive and rebooted, and eventually got to a screen that said to press "r" which I did. The screen now shows "C:\windows". What is the next step(s) to try to fix the computer? Thank you.
Brian W
You are pressing R too soon. There are two option for R. The first one gets you into the Recovery Console. You don't need that. The second one goes through the instillation process but does not erase the original. If you are getting C:\Windows you are doing something wrong.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788
Here are the instructions from Microsoft, Go down and read Methos 2,
Stuart
If the computer itself boots up to C:\Windows with a blinking underscore cursor, that means it booted up in DOS mode, which is not good. Reboot the system again and keep pressing F8, which will bring you to a boot menu. Select normal startup and trying booting the computer up again and see what happens. Jonas "Jackal" Lear
http://www.sbccrew.com
Serving the South Bay Since 1999
I have a XP Pro installation disk This is you set-up disk.
Reboot the CD again and ignore the first Repair option you get. Continue and wait until the set-up has identified the existing installation. You will get an option to install or repair. Select R for repair. This wild do a repair install, correcting the registry entries that are causing the problem.
This will keep all your existing programmes and data.. What you will have to do though is reinstall any updates and Service packs that did not come with the CD.
Stuart
that means it booted up in DOS mode, Except there is no DOS Mode in Windows XP. DOS died with Windows 98. This is just a blank screen because the boot cannot continue because of the registry errors.
Stuart
Stuart, I did all that you suggested. After using R, I got to "C:\Windows" but after I rebooted, I still received the same error message as before that the file was corrupted or missing and that I needed to use the set-up disk to repair.
Thank you.
Brian W
You are pressing R too soon. There are two option for R. The first one gets you into the Recovery Console. You don't need that. The second one goes through the instillation process but does not erase the original. If you are getting C:\Windows you are doing something wrong.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788
Here are the instructions from Microsoft, Go down and read Methos 2,
Stuart
Stuart, Thank you for your assistance. Unfortunately , it did not work. I got to a screen that shows the existing partition but there wasn't a "R" to press.
Brian W
I could not get the recovery module to work. I took the hard drive out of the broken computer and installed it into a working one. I then copied all of the documents I needed and then reformatted the drive. I thank all who offered suggestions.
Brian W
