About a couple of hours ago I told a friend I was starting to learn about computers.... since then, I've had two towers and a desktop delivered for me to "play with"...

The first one I've powered up is an Advent T9004 - and the message:

"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 screed to start repair"

Now, I've checked - and there was no set up disc. However I do have the product Key (if that's helpful) it was on a label on the back case.

My question is this - if it can be fixed, how can I fix it?

Yes it can be fixed you have the product key good now will you tell us what version of windows it has.If it has any version of xp PM me for dowload link

Originally Posted by andrewbach

Yes it can be fixed you have the product key good now will you tell us what version of windows it has.If it has any version of xp PM me for dowload link

New to all this, Andrew, but I think I've managed to PM you. FYI its XP home edition.

Many thanks for your assistance

if the operating system files are missing or corrupt it could point to bad sectors on the hard drive so if you have any trouble repairing the OS you may need to do a full reinstall, or create a new partition and install to that (so operating system isn't being written to the same part of the hard drive), and worst case scenario if theres a lot of errors on the disk it may need replacing.

Originally Posted by popeye67

if the operating system files are missing or corrupt it could point to bad sectors on the hard drive so if you have any trouble repairing the OS you may need to do a full reinstall, or create a new partition and install to that (so operating system isn't being written to the same part of the hard drive), and worst case scenario if theres a lot of errors on the disk it may need replacing.

Okay, I remember seeing/reading about partitions....only started this course yesterday.... it's a lot to try and take in... but I'll go back and try and find it again.

How can I do a full reinstall when I only get the message - windows could not start because ..blah, blah, blah... when I turn the tower on?

Remember, I'm a total no0b - pls don't make fun of me... well not too much at any rate...

If the computer doesn't have a "repair" feature on the hard drive, or a re-install partition, your options may be limited. There are certain files on the hard drive that Windows needs to boot-up properly. If it is telling you that you need the install disk, then there probably isn't a repair or restore partition. If you're going to be getting into PC repair seriously there will be some essential tools you'll need, and among these will be some actual Windows install discs for XP, XP Pro, Vista (32 & 64 bit) and Win 7 (32 & 64 Bit.) You won't use them for for installs, but you will use them for repairing a corrupted Windows system. I found some disks on eBay that had been premade for this purpose. They don't have full versions of Windows on them...just essential files to do repairs. You're going to need a disk like this to check the hard drive for errors and/or bad sectors (chkdsk) and repair the master boot records. (fixboot/fixMBR)
As the PC boots up, see if you can quickly spot something on the screen that tells you what to press for boot options. On many PCs it is F8. You'd press F8 repeatedly as it boots and it takes you to a screen with various options....such as Safe Mode, etc. Sometimes this screen might give you a choice of a repair option...but it varies from PC to PC.
There is also the chance that the hard drive is bad, but replacing the hard drive is the last resort.

Originally Posted by busdriver72

If the computer doesn't have a "repair" feature on the hard drive, or a re-install partition, your options may be limited. There are certain files on the hard drive that Windows needs to boot-up properly. If it is telling you that you need the install disk, then there probably isn't a repair or restore partition. If you're going to be getting into PC repair seriously there will be some essential tools you'll need, and among these will be some actual Windows install discs for XP, XP Pro, Vista (32 & 64 bit) and Win 7 (32 & 64 Bit.) You won't use them for for installs, but you will use them for repairing a corrupted Windows system. I found some disks on eBay that had been premade for this purpose. They don't have full versions of Windows on them...just essential files to do repairs. You're going to need a disk like this to check the hard drive for errors and/or bad sectors (chkdsk) and repair the master boot records. (fixboot/fixMBR)
As the PC boots up, see if you can quickly spot something on the screen that tells you what to press for boot options. On many PCs it is F8. You'd press F8 repeatedly as it boots and it takes you to a screen with various options....such as Safe Mode, etc. Sometimes this screen might give you a choice of a repair option...but it varies from PC to PC.
There is also the chance that the hard drive is bad, but replacing the hard drive is the last resort.

Taken on board everything you've mentioned, and will start searching around for those discs, and all the other tools I'm going to be needing.

I am serious about this, if not as a full time career, as a paying hobby. Got my redundancy notice a week ago, and there's limited employment opportunities around at the moment, especially for someone of my age. Financial security is a huge incentive to learn! Although I know absolutely ziltch about computers - I know more than I did 24 hours ago!

As all the units have been donated for me to "practice", I'm gonna do a bit of experimenting.

Tried your F8 trick - and guess what - it's brought up a screen "Boot Menu" with 3 options - floppy, hard disk and cd rom. The tower doesn't have a floppy, so I'll try the hard disk first, then the cd rom option (although I don't have a disk - just want to see what happens).

I'll let you know how it works out - or not, as the case may be. Thanks for your help and advice. Much appreciated.

you can divide hard drives into different segments and your computer will see them as totally different hard drives, think maximum number is four partitions per drive and i'm almost possitive it is in xp home

Originally Posted by popeye67

you can divide hard drives into different segments and your computer will see them as totally different hard drives, think maximum number is four partitions per drive and i'm almost possitive it is in xp home

Yes, I remember seeing that on one of the videos. If I can ever get this one to work, I'll give it a try.

You can fix any computer if you replace enough of the parts, in your case you may not even need to replace any of the hardware, there will be times its not economically worth fixing a computer, but even then you can use the parts to fix other computers or as an aid to diagnose a problem. Good news is you dont need to spend a fortune on diagnostic tools, the only really expensive thing you will need is operating system install discs, they are expensive but there are ways round that, and if you ever consider getting a new computer i would seriously consider building a computer from scratch,you would need a hard drive and an operating system we are all being encoraged to recycle, no reason why microsoft software should be exempt

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