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natal1322
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 4
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Hi
I know this seems to bwe a common problem but I have just switched on my laptop to be confronted with the message windows failed to start because of a missing file system 32 windows. It says you can try to resolve this by putting in the set up disc and pressing R. I do not have the original discs, is there anything I can do, please help? 
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3458
Loc: London, England
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Are you sure that the message was 'missing file system 32 windows' or was it 'Missing file C:\Windows\System32\something else here'.
Actually it doesn't matter what the exact message was as I suspect you have a corrupted registry or a disk error. The best thing to do first, is to borrow a copy of the WinXP CD and follow the instructions that came up with the error, i.e. probably load the recovery console and run a chkdsk.
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natal1322
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 4
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Hello Burr Walnut
Thanks for replying, the actual message reads windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \windows\system32\config\system
you can try to resolve this by using the set up cd and pressing r.
I have borrowed a windows Xp cd and changed the bios setting so it boots from the cd/dvd. Still the same message pops up! any ideas??
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3458
Loc: London, England
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I'm afraid you have a corrupted registry.
When WinXP is installed the initial registry files are stored in the folder \Windows\repair. The five major files are named default, sam, security, software and system. It is these files that are used when a repair install is carried out using the WinXP CD, hence the need to apply any subsequent Service Packs and/or hotfixes.
The current registry files are located in \Windows\system32\config. It is this version of the registry that is loaded when the computer is booted. If one of the files becomes corrupted the computer cannot be booted, even in safe mode. The solution is to return to a previous point in time via System Restore using a a third-party program (as it's not possible in XP but is in Vista) or running a repair install back to the time of the original installation using the WinXP CD (the \repair folder above).
Because you cannot boot at all try this, it‘s old and may not work on SP2 or even SP1. It will set the system to the initial installation set-up therefore some hardware/software entries may be incorrect but you should be able to retrieve your data later. Boot from the XP CD and select the first R for the Recovery Console. Type the Administrator password or press enter if you haven’t set one. When the command prompt (>) appears, type
CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
REN SYSTEM SYSTEM.OLD
COPY C:\WINDOWS\REPAIR\SYSTEM
EXIT
Note the spaces in each line and the capitals are for clarity only. Press Enter after each line then remove the CD and let it boot the hard drive.
If you cannot do the above I'm afraid you will have to format the HDD and reinstall Windows. Use the borrowed CD but use your 25 character product code on the sticker on the side of the computer.
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Fine English furniture is the new rock 'n' roll
The Chippendale Society
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natal1322
new user
Reg'd: Sat
Posts: 4
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Hello Burr Walnut
First many thanks for your time and trouble to help me resolve this problem.
I have tried your kind solutions but the system just keeps rebooting back to the same original error message everytime a press a key.
How do you format the HDD? sorry I am not that computer literate, I can follow instructions but never had to do this sort of thing before. There is nothing on the laptop I need to save so installing a fresh xp os would be possible, if only I could get the system to do something other than keep rebooting itself back to the error message.
thanks
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BurrWalnut
Chippendaler
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 3458
Loc: London, England
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Scroll down to the clean install instructions here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/en-us and print them out.
Don't forget to set the CD/DVD drive as the first boot device in the BIOS.
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Fine English furniture is the new rock 'n' roll
The Chippendale Society
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