1.

Solve : Corrupt WINXP installation files??

Answer»

I searched in the forums and couldn't come up with this exact PROBLEM, so if I NEED redirected to a previous post, I apologize in advance.

I have a Toshiba Satellite A55-S1064 laptop that I am attempting to fix for the second time. It belongs to a teenage girl who just lost her dad. This was his computer, so the sentimental value far outweighs the computer itself.

The original hard drive went bad, so I installed a new one. It is a WD 250G PATA. I installed WINXP and downloaded all the proprietary device drivers from Toshiba's support DOWNLOAD website. I installed and tested everything and gave it back to her.

Jump ahead three weeks. She calls me and says that the computer is hanging on bootup. When I got it back, it would go through the boot test, then hang. I finally got it to throw me an error stating that Windows was unable to load because the Windows\system32\config\system file is corrupt.

I used the installation disk to get to the Recovery Console, and there were no \config\ANYTHING files. I reinstalled WINXP and got to the desktop. Started downloading the device drivers and the first restart came with the error above. So, back through the Recovery Console I go. The config\FILES are there, but I can't copy them or delete them.

I decided to start fresh, so I removed the partitions and am completing a fresh install.

Am I missing something? CHKDSK showed nothing. Stated the disk was healthy and clean. Is there maybe a boot sector virus I'm missing?

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer

Did you use a Toshiba restore CD for this and/or a Windows XP CD ? ?No Toshiba CD. I used a Windows XP disk. I'm not sure at this point that a restore disk will work, given that there is a different hard drive and I've reinstalled twice. If it will still work, I may just have to purchase one. Quote from: trukkrgrrl on May 17, 2010, 06:07:30 PM

...Am I missing something? CHKDSK showed nothing. Stated the disk was healthy and clean. Is there maybe a boot sector virus I'm missing?
...
I don't think so.  Check for boot sector virus:  http://www.avira.com/en/support/support_downloads.html

Toshiba Satellite A55-S1064 DownloadsIt's probably as simple as missing drivers...laptops are finicky.
DLoad and install all the appropiate ones...MBoard chipset drivers 1st...

Unless this is an 'Ahem" version of XP of course...Thank you all for your help. It was not a boot sector virus. I ended up having to go through the recovery console, using DISKPART to delete the partition and format and reinstall. Everything is good now, but I do still have to GIVE it back to her! Again, thank you all for your advice!

P.S I have ordered a Toshiba recovery disk...just in case! Good to hear you fixed her up and Thanx for stopping back to LET us know...
Stop by anytime !

PS Remember to re-install all those laptop Drivers.


Discussion

No Comment Found