redbullz Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Sorry, it is another ill-informed computer question. On that note, please excuse my irrational computer knowledge, especially with Windows.My family's Dell Dimension desktop now decides to play dysfunctional game with me, as my family don't have a bloody clue why it won't function. So now, it is up to me to repair it, but only with your help.The Dell computer refuses to go any further than the setup menu which informs me a particular problem with a black background,''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''After many rapid continuous press of the button ''r'' with the Dell integrated Windows XP home setup disk loaded in the tray, it still repeats the problem Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 This is an indication of a corrupted registry.Read about it hereI doubt if it will be of much help if, as you say, you don't have much computer knowledge.From my point, I don't know just what Dell put on their recovery disk but perhaps someone else here may be able to give more advice on that.Is there anyone local to you that you could ask to have a look at it for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadyassa Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Just a thought.It may be still booting up from the C drive rather than the CD rom. Wont he have to change the bios to boot from CD first ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Ah, yes, good thought there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbullz Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 I have been suggested by some to dismantle my case and inspect the boards. I am still not sure what to do.Look like we may need to send it to a professional for inspection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 I don't think "examining the boards" will show you very much.Did you look at the link I gave? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbullz Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Thanks, I have. I have also been suggested by some to investigate the link too. It does have me very bemuse. When I do inset the Dell tools CD for re-locating your hardrive because of corrupted data, it doesn't seem to response to it due I can't get any further than the setup menu - even the 'r' button for repair doesn't response either. Obviously a very flawed computer.Would it be a safe bet to seek profession support? I have low patience with computers these days!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 If you cannot get to the recovery console, then something is very seriously wrong.But if you can get the recovery console to open, I would first trysfc /scannowThat will replace any lost or damaged files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 If all other options are exhausted, and you are good at following instructions, try this. http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showtopic=15213I've used it to correct the exact same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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