Solve : Can't boot up old PC?

1.	Solve : Can't boot up old PC?
Answer» Hi Guys, I have an old PC that my son wants to use. It's so old I don't remember any of the hardware other than I loaded XP on it some time ago and it has an AMD processor. Anyway, when it tries to boot up I get bar lines at the bottom of the monitor (b&w) with this msg: File missing or corrupt /Windows/System32/Config/System press "r" at 1st screen for repair So I loaded the XP install disk, set the system to boot from the CD-ROM but STILL the same response. I even tried the Ultimate Windows Boot Disk (purchased on ebay) and still the same result. I've changed the boot location to CD-ROM in all 3 attempts but with no difference. Any idea what to do other than to us another HD? "Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=307545 Thanks for the info, but that won't work because I cannot get past the corrupted file message. In other words, the system will not boot off of the CD. I think the only method left is to replace the hard drive with one of my backups on my own system and go from there or else format the hard drive and see if I can boot off the floppy when the C drive is clean. I have the system set to boot from the CD in all 3 options - but it won't work.Are you sure the system is actually booting from the CD-ROM? Is it possible you setup for a CD-ROM boot, but aren't saving the change (so it's not effective)? What does it say on your Windows CD ? ? Does it have holograms all over it and say MS ? ?Yes, the changes to the boot PRIORITY are there. No, the CD I have for XP is a special one - no hologram face. But it also won't work with a special Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows either. I've been in the computer field since the 70's but this one has me stumped. Why would I get a hard drive error when it's booting off of a CD?Quote from: bullwinkle on APRIL 26, 2008, 10:53:40 AM No, the CD I have for XP is a special one - no hologram face. Are you sure your system "sees" the CD-ROM drive? Does the system BIOS see and correctly identify the CD-ROM drive? Test the system memory. You can do this by booting a standalone memory diagnostic program from either floppy or CD-ROM drive. If you have a floppy drive, I'd try that. See MemTest86. Follow the "Free Download" link to either the floppy: Download - Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.4a installable from Windows and DOS or CD versions: Download - Memtest86 v3.4a ISO image (zip) Sounds to me like the CD's are not bootable.... The system doesn't have a workable floppy. I tested the CD ROM by disconnecting the HD. It wouldn't read the CD - and I know that the CD is bootable. So the ROM drive isn't working. So I can't run the memory test until I get a drive working. I'm thinking of subbing my backup HD and trying to boot from there. Suggestions?Quote from: patio on April 27, 2008, 08:30:31 AM Sounds to me like the CD's are not bootable.... This can be tested by DLoading and creating the MemTest CD as suggested above...if that one runs then the CD's you have are not built corrrectly and or are bootleg copies of Windows...Quote from: bullwinkle on April 25, 2008, 01:33:58 PM Hi Guys, an old PC that my son wants to use. It's so old I don't remember any of the hardware [/i] PC problems are caused by enviromental and human factors like: heat, dust, magnetism, power supply problems, static electricity, human error(like spilled drinks or a buildup of dust and pollen). Have you been storing this old PC in a basement or attic? Have you tried to blow it out? Quote from: bullwinkle on April 26, 2008, 10:53:40 AM I've been in the computer field since the 70's but this one has me stumped. Why would I get a hard drive error when it's booting off of a CD? If you leave a PC turned off for a long period of time you can have serious problems. A friend of mine left a computer off for an entire summer. At the beginning of the new school term, the PC would'nt boot. After a complete examination we DISCOVERED that the boot record at the begining of the HD had become corrupted. PCs, like old cars, need to be started up from time to time just to insure their health.1. Hard Drive Substitution. Attempting to "boot" a Windows XP operating system from a hard drive built for a different computer system normally isn't successful. The Windows XP operating system is closely tied to the hardware and should be built on the system it is to run on. Booting a hard drive with DOS, MS-DOS, or a Windows 9x/ME operating system should work as long as suitable drivers for the new hardware are available. That being said, I do not recommend this course. Troubleshoot and fix the target computer system. 2. CD-ROM Drive. Use the CMOS setup utility to verify the CD-ROM drive is detected and correctly identified by the system BIOS during startup. If it isn't detected by the BIOS, you won't be able to access the drive until you correct the underlying problem. If the BIOS doesn't see it, (with power off and plug removed from wall) check the IDE master/slave/single jumper(s) on the drive, reseat the data cable at both ends, and reseat it's power connector. 3. Floppy Drive. While you're in the CMOS setup utility, verify the floppy drive is ENABLED and configured correctly. 4. Memory. Test the system memory. If you have multiple memory modules, you should start by testing each one individually, then testing them together. Ensure the connectors look good and reseat the memory module prior to testing to ensure it has good contact. Take appropriate Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) precautions when working with electrical components.

Answer»

Hi Guys,

I have an old PC that my son wants to use. It's so old I don't remember any of the hardware other than I loaded XP on it some time ago and it has an AMD processor.

Anyway, when it tries to boot up I get bar lines at the bottom of the monitor (b&w) with this msg:

File missing or corrupt
/Windows/System32/Config/System
press "r" at 1st screen for repair

So I loaded the XP install disk, set the system to boot from the CD-ROM but STILL the same response. I even tried the Ultimate Windows Boot Disk (purchased on ebay) and still the same result.

I've changed the boot location to CD-ROM in all 3 attempts but with no difference.

Any idea what to do other than to us another HD?
"Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=307545
Thanks for the info, but that won't work because I cannot get past the corrupted file message.

In other words, the system will not boot off of the CD.

I think the only method left is to replace the hard drive with one of my backups on my own system and go from there or else format the hard drive and see if I can boot off the floppy when the C drive is clean.

I have the system set to boot from the CD in all 3 options - but it won't work.Are you sure the system is actually booting from the CD-ROM? Is it possible you setup for a CD-ROM boot, but aren't saving the change (so it's not effective)?
What does it say on your Windows CD ? ?
Does it have holograms all over it and say MS ? ?Yes, the changes to the boot PRIORITY are there.

No, the CD I have for XP is a special one - no hologram face. But it also won't work with a special Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows either.

I've been in the computer field since the 70's but this one has me stumped. Why would I get a hard drive error when it's booting off of a CD?Quote from: bullwinkle on APRIL 26, 2008, 10:53:40 AM

No, the CD I have for XP is a special one - no hologram face.

Are you sure your system "sees" the CD-ROM drive? Does the system BIOS see and correctly identify the CD-ROM drive?

Test the system memory. You can do this by booting a standalone memory diagnostic program from either floppy or CD-ROM drive. If you have a floppy drive, I'd try that.

See MemTest86. Follow the "Free Download" link to either the floppy:
Download - Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.4a installable from Windows and DOS

or CD versions:
Download - Memtest86 v3.4a ISO image (zip)

Sounds to me like the CD's are not bootable.... The system doesn't have a workable floppy.

I tested the CD ROM by disconnecting the HD. It wouldn't read the CD - and I know that the CD is bootable. So the ROM drive isn't working.

So I can't run the memory test until I get a drive working. I'm thinking of subbing my backup HD and trying to boot from there.

Suggestions?Quote from: patio on April 27, 2008, 08:30:31 AM

Sounds to me like the CD's are not bootable....

This can be tested by DLoading and creating the MemTest CD as suggested above...if that one runs then the CD's you have are not built corrrectly and or are bootleg copies of Windows...Quote from: bullwinkle on April 25, 2008, 01:33:58 PM

Hi Guys,

an old PC that my son wants to use. It's so old I don't remember any of the hardware [/i]

PC problems are caused by enviromental and human factors like:
heat, dust, magnetism, power supply problems, static electricity, human error(like spilled drinks or a buildup of dust and pollen). Have you been storing this old PC in a basement or attic? Have you tried to blow it out?
Quote from: bullwinkle on April 26, 2008, 10:53:40 AM

I've been in the computer field since the 70's but this one has me stumped. Why would I get a hard drive error when it's booting off of a CD?

If you leave a PC turned off for a long period of time you can have serious problems. A friend of mine left a computer off for an entire summer. At the beginning of the new school term, the PC would'nt boot. After a complete examination we DISCOVERED that the boot record at the begining of the HD had become corrupted. PCs, like old cars, need to be started up from time to time just to insure their health.1. Hard Drive Substitution. Attempting to "boot" a Windows XP operating system from a hard drive built for a different computer system normally isn't successful. The Windows XP operating system is closely tied to the hardware and should be built on the system it is to run on.

Booting a hard drive with DOS, MS-DOS, or a Windows 9x/ME operating system should work as long as suitable drivers for the new hardware are available.

That being said, I do not recommend this course. Troubleshoot and fix the target computer system.

2. CD-ROM Drive. Use the CMOS setup utility to verify the CD-ROM drive is detected and correctly identified by the system BIOS during startup. If it isn't detected by the BIOS, you won't be able to access the drive until you correct the underlying problem. If the BIOS doesn't see it, (with power off and plug removed from wall) check the IDE master/slave/single jumper(s) on the drive, reseat the data cable at both ends, and reseat it's power connector.

3. Floppy Drive. While you're in the CMOS setup utility, verify the floppy drive is ENABLED and configured correctly.

4. Memory. Test the system memory. If you have multiple memory modules, you should start by testing each one individually, then testing them together. Ensure the connectors look good and reseat the memory module prior to testing to ensure it has good contact. Take appropriate Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) precautions when working with electrical components.

Solve : Can't boot up old PC?

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