Getting my laptop back to how it was when I bought it.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
Getting my laptop back to how it was when I bought it.
Gingerette has a 1 yr old laptop which caught a virus and now doesn't work.
When it starts up it says,
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM
Select r at the first screen to start repair.
We havn't got a disc as windows was already on the computer when we got it.
Any idea's? thanks.
When it starts up it says,
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM
Select r at the first screen to start repair.
We havn't got a disc as windows was already on the computer when we got it.
Any idea's? thanks.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: UK.
I am no expert by any means, however I think you will need the setup disks. You maybe able to get copies from someone with the same make and brand of laptop, or from the outlet it was purchased.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: London
You should have got a recovery disc with it, did you buy it new. If not go buy a full copy of XP stick it in the dvd drive and turn on , follow instructions from there. Be warned this will delete all data on hard drive. Make sure to remove all partions on the hard drive the instructions for that are on the Windows install screen.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
Oh dear, tried the F8 button which gave me some options including "Last known good configuration" but I'm still getting this message,
I've got the product key for XP, (it's on the bottom of the computer), but no disc.
Any solutions, other than going back to the shop where I bought it. (a PC world up North).
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
Any solutions, other than going back to the shop where I bought it. (a PC world up North).
Chief Tardis Technician
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: Western Australia S31.715 E115.737
Gingernut, If your system is an XP variant, get hold of a system disc, licence details are not needed for this procedure. Insert CD, and allow machine to boot. When disc gives a couple of options, (install or repair I think) setlect R for repair, and when the comand line appears, enter fixboot, followed by fixmbr. Answer yes if asked. this should repair the boot sector and boot information. Exit , and allow to restart. Hopefully this may fix things.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: London
F8 is not the correct function for re-setting the computer, that only takes you in to safe mode. If you can remember the date when all was functioning properly then go: Programs-Accessories-Sytem Tools- System Restore.
Alternatively if you know the name of the virus then go to run and key regedit. That will take you to the registry editor and look for the virus by name BE CAREFUL IF YOU HIT THE WRONG KEY YOU WILL HAVE TO RESTORE THE ENTIRE OS!
I gather you have had the machine a year which means you may not have been provided with installation disks in which case you should have made a back-up disk of your system!
In the event my suggestions don't work then you will have to buy installation disks from the vendor or buy your own copy of windows - ouch!
Alternatively if you know the name of the virus then go to run and key regedit. That will take you to the registry editor and look for the virus by name BE CAREFUL IF YOU HIT THE WRONG KEY YOU WILL HAVE TO RESTORE THE ENTIRE OS!
I gather you have had the machine a year which means you may not have been provided with installation disks in which case you should have made a back-up disk of your system!
In the event my suggestions don't work then you will have to buy installation disks from the vendor or buy your own copy of windows - ouch!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 798
Likes: 0
From: The Land of Beer and Chocolate
What kind of laptop?
And you should either have "recovery disks" or a "recovery partition" (which is generally accessed at the bios screen by pressing a key, the manual should tell you).
If ya don't have the disks, then I go with Avtrician as the first step. If that don't work, then I afraid I would get a way to boot into dos so I could get the important data off before formatting/reinstalling windows.
And you should either have "recovery disks" or a "recovery partition" (which is generally accessed at the bios screen by pressing a key, the manual should tell you).
If ya don't have the disks, then I go with Avtrician as the first step. If that don't work, then I afraid I would get a way to boot into dos so I could get the important data off before formatting/reinstalling windows.
