Windows XP will not boot from cdrom

[billsmiracle]

I keep getting the following message: The following file is missing or corrupt \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I tried putting the WindowsXP cd in the cdrom to repair, but computer is not recognizing the cdrom. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate hearing from them. Bill

 

[dcowboysr1]

Have you set the option in the bios to boot have the CD-ROM as the first boot device? Are you using the original XP installation CD?

 

[billsmiracle]

I've not put the cdrom as first to boot yet, but I'll give it a try. Yes, I'm using the original WindowsXP installation disk.

 

[billsmiracle]

Okay--tried putting the cdrom as first to boot in BIOS, but it still won't boot u. cdrom spins, but nothing happens. Just will not go beyond that point. Still comes up with the same missing or corrupt file.

 

[linney]

Did you save your bios settings after altering the bios, check and make sure the boot from CD is ahead of the boot from drive.

If it boots from CD you only have a 1 or 2 seconds message to "Press Any Key to Boot from CD". If you blink you might miss it.

Here's something to look at too to get some floppy boot disks.

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - Q308402
Cannot Log On to Recovery Console After Running Sysprep in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/02.asp

"As a workaround, the following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center. These floppy disks are required only if the hotfix discussed in this article has not yet been applied,****** you cannot boot the computer *****, and you need to use the Recovery Console to make repairs.

Windows XP Home Edition:
Download WinXP_en_hom_bf.exe now
Windows XP Professional:
Download WinXP_en_pro_bf.exe now


Possibly you could use an old 98 or ME startup disk and start XP from a Dos prompt on your CD drive.

HOW TO: Start Setup from MS-DOS in Windows XP (Q307848)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/8/48.asp

 

[billsmiracle]

I mistakenly put the power led connector on the motherboard pins that are the speaker pins yesterday. The computer powers up, beeps, and BIOS loads fine. I tried using an old Windows 98 boot floppy disk yesterday, and that wouldn't work either. I have the EPOX 8K7A + RAID motherboard. The led readout inside reads FF. Led1 on the motherboard is lit. Everything seems like it wants to go, but just will not boot.

 

[linney]

Too technical for me, but would that cause internal damage to your system?

Perhaps a memory diagnostic tool that can self boot and doesn't require an operating system to be functional will help you check out the internals.

http://www.memtest86.com

 

[ChrisHirst]

Possibly corrupted the CMOS settings . Clear the CMOS and reconfigure the BIOS settings.

Chris.
Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?

 

[billsmiracle]

I give up--How do you clear the CMOS?

 

[zoeythecat]

On the system board look for something that says "CMOS". Unseat the connector for about 30 seconds - 1 minute and then seat it back on the systemboard. Now try and boot up go into the BIOS, load default settings, make sure the first boot device is the CDROM, save changes and reboot with WindowsXP cd in the drive.

 

[billsmiracle]

I've done this, but I'll try it one more time. Stay with me on this. Thanks! Bill

 

[zoeythecat]

Also make sure you have power going into the CDROM. Do you see any light on it? Try reseating the power cables attached to the CDROM. Try another CD on your system to make sure the CD is not defective. Try reading the WindowsXP on another system just to make sure again that it is not a defective or bad CD.

 

[billsmiracle]

Did all that. The WindowsXP cd works fine on the old system I'm using right now. CDROM spins up, but nothing loads. I just finished taking voltage readings from the Power Supply system 20 pin connector while the system was on. I wrote them down, and I'm wondering if you would happen to know what the voltage readings should be.

 

[zoeythecat]

Check out this link. This will explain how you can create 6 setup diskettes for WindowsXP installation. This may be your best bet. Hopefully you have no floppy drive issues?

Don't know the answer to your voltage question.

 

[zoeythecat]

Ooops..Forgot the link.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310994

 

[billsmiracle]

Thanks for everybody's help. I made boot disks from the one website, and got the computer working again. I discovered the cause was in the BIOS. i HAD WRONGLY "ENABLED" BIOS memory when it should've been "DISABLED".