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Windows couldn't start... error :/

My pc has decided to die on me this morn. I switched on and got this 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 cdrom.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.


I did as it said but the CD doesn't start.
Can anyone help?

Comments

  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You have to boot from the CD either set boot to CD in Bios or try pressing F12 at boot and select CD drive . Initial boot screen normally tells you the BIOS and BOOT keys at the bottom of the screen .

    jje
  • CompletelyLost
    CompletelyLost Posts: 2,862 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 19 December 2010 at 1:51PM
    Thanks. F12 took me to the Boot Device menu.
    I selected 'onboard or usb CD-rom drive' but it still took me back to that same error screen.

    The other option on that menu are:
    -system setup
    -hard drive diagnostics
    -boot to utility partition (guessing this wipes the whole thing? which I really don't want to do).

    edit: ahh I got it to boot from CD. Nice blue windows setup screen. Will see what happens :S
This discussion has been closed.
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