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Need to reload xp

post #1 of 9
2/3/06 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
I have a desktop pc on which I need to reload xp.It want let me boot from cd.
It says windows could'nt start because I have a corrupt file:\windows\system32\confif\system

I did notice in cmos the cdrom is absent. I can't get to safe mode or c: prompt.
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post #2 of 9
2/3/06 at 4:40pm
HUH! Bad one. Same thing happend to my GFs desktop but I managed to fix it by deleting the System Volume Information folder. OK.. there was a backup W'98 on a sepparate partition.
Try it. Put your HDD in an other computer and delete the folder. It won't do any more wrong thats for sure!
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post #3 of 9
2/3/06 at 5:40pm
To maybe fix the no boot from cd problem you could try the BIOS settings to make sure boot from CD device is first in the list before floppy or HD. That doesn't work just download the appropriate windows xp start disks for your version and begin the setup to the hard drive with those then insert the cd later when it needs it and your activation information.


Quote:
Originally Posted by jrf
I have a desktop pc on which I need to reload xp.It want let me boot from cd.
It says windows could'nt start because I have a corrupt file:\windows\system32\confif\system

I did notice in cmos the cdrom is absent. I can't get to safe mode or c: prompt.
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post #4 of 9
2/4/06 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
I can't get it to bootup at all.I may if I can get the cd to run load 98se on the 2nd hdrive and try to boot from it and reformat the main HDr then.I know this forum is geared toward notebooks so I guess it'll be awhile before I get a response to my posts.
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post #5 of 9
2/4/06 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jrf
I have a desktop pc on which I need to reload xp.It want let me boot from cd.
It says windows could'nt start because I have a corrupt file:\windows\system32\confif\system

I did notice in cmos the cdrom is absent. I can't get to safe mode or c: prompt.
What I meant was I can not get the cd rom to work either even when I tell it to boot from cd.Maybe the m/board is screwed,huh?
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post #6 of 9
2/4/06 at 3:35pm
Some suggestions to try:

1) Swap the cable to the CDROM drive with the one for the HD.
2) Make sure in the BIOS it is set to AUTO detect.
3) Reset BIOS to defaults.
4) Boot order should be set to CD/DVD before hard drive
5) Replace the CD/DVD ROM drive.
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post #7 of 9
2/4/06 at 3:36pm
Its not that its going to take a while to get answers, its just that im a bit confused as to what the problem is.

Q. Was the cdrom working when you used to be able to boot into xp?
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post #8 of 9
2/4/06 at 3:37pm
and also, are you sure its antually trying to boot from the cd? Check the boot priority in the bios.
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post #9 of 9
2/5/06 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
I have gutted the machine.I am going to try and load win98 on a smaller HD and put everything back together from scratch. If it works Ill format the drive xp was on and reload it.Is this a good plan?
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