XP Won't Start

XP stopped working
I can't say I had any warning;
I was on the Computer, everything was OK,
I stopped for a while, and could not get on again.
When I turn on the computer the "Windows Advanced Option "
screen comes up and stays there.
I cannot do anything with this.I selected Last known good configuration.Nothing happens; I select start normally,same.
I try safe mode, safe mode with
command prompt;nothing works;
it won't read the recovery disc; start up floppys,I tried a ubuntu disc,and Knoppix disc
on this same screen I found this line
"windows could not start because the
following file is missing or corrupt
"\windows\system32\config\system "
I cannot think of anything else.
I looked through some of your
previous posts,but all I've read
shows that these people can get in
to do things. I can't get in at all.
best regards sonk909

2)
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name RUBY
System Manufacturer INTEL_
System Model D845GVFN
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2799 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Intel Corp. FN84510A.86A.0023.P07.0508282002, 8/28/2005
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111) "
User Name RUBY\Administrator
Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 288.66 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.22 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

Have you tried a repair install?

And, out of curiosity where did you get the system specs from 2) onwards in your post?

 

XP Won't Start

No I did not do a repair install,
to do that I would have to use the recovery disc,
which I could not do;

I got the system specs from system information
thank you

 

Yes the CD Rom was working before;
Yes I did check it in the Bios

 

I found this some time ago - How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

It's involved, but does allow recovery of a (reasonably) recent registry from the Repair folder, and then from a recovery point. I'm not sure what state the registry would be in after a repair install, but at least you'd HAVE one, and could then follow the instructions in the MS article.

I have followed this proc. once, but as I've said, it's involved.

 

I guess we are going to need Sherlock to take a look at this because if you can't get anything to startup, it would be quite a feat to access system information as wildfire was quick to realize and polite not to challenge.

Perhaps you would like to elaborate just how you got to that system information and fill in all the blanks that have been omitted re: this problem. If you have an SP3 slipstreamed XP Pro CD, this isn't a real tough fix but based on your post, it appears that there may be more to this situation than you have shared with us. Please enlighten me so I don't waste your time.

 

Are you talking to me? It's not clear who you're addressing.

 

@rambler I believe Rockster was addressing sonk909

@sonk909

Perhaps I should have asked how did you get those specifications, your answer may aid assistance to your problem.

 

Rambler,

No sir, I wasn't addressing you - sorry if my rambling was confusing to you.

 

It WAS confusing me - your apology gracefully accepted!