Windows won't start!

When I turn on my computer, I get a black screen with the following 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 screen to start repair"

I have a sony vaio that came w/ windows xp media center edition 2005, but
there were no setup cd's that came with it. The manual it came with says
that no cd's are supplied w/ the computer and that I should use the VAIO
recovery wizard utility to recover the operating system and preinstalled
software. I accessed the recovery wizard, but the only option there is to
totally wipe out everything on the hard drive and start from scratch. Is
there anyway to fix this problem without losing everything I have saved on
the computer?

"loco2579" wrote in message
...
When I turn on my computer, I get a black screen with the following
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 screen to start repair"

I have a sony vaio that came w/ windows xp media center edition 2005, but
there were no setup cd's that came with it. The manual it came with says
that no cd's are supplied w/ the computer and that I should use the VAIO
recovery wizard utility to recover the operating system and preinstalled
software. I accessed the recovery wizard, but the only option there is to
totally wipe out everything on the hard drive and start from scratch. Is
there anyway to fix this problem without losing everything I have saved on
the computer?

There is a discussion at
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/20810/ that addresses this
issue.

"loco2579" wrote in message
...
When I turn on my computer, I get a black screen with the following
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 screen to start repair"

I have a sony vaio that came w/ windows xp media center edition 2005, but
there were no setup cd's that came with it. The manual it came with says
that no cd's are supplied w/ the computer and that I should use the VAIO
recovery wizard utility to recover the operating system and preinstalled
software. I accessed the recovery wizard, but the only option there is to
totally wipe out everything on the hard drive and start from scratch. Is
there anyway to fix this problem without losing everything I have saved on
the computer?

Yes, one of the startup options should be the recovery console.

If that's not there, aside from fixing it, I would suggest that you write a
letter to Sony objecting to this no-disk arrangement. Even better, get
your attorney to write it. You might also copy Microsoft on that; while
they will distance themselves from OEMs, their OEM license policies permit
this mistreatment of consumers.

The real issue is that this system apparently uses a hard-disk-based
recovery system. The problem with that is that drives fail, rendering the
recovery partition inaccessible. And this *is going to happen*, it's only
a question of when.

You are then stuck having to buy both a new hard disk *and* a new XP
license. This arrangement probably saved Sony a dollar in direct costs and
sticks you with a much larger charge later for an eminently forseeable, in
fact expected, failure.

The directions at this page will tell you in detail how to fix this.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

If you don't have the recovery console option, you can use *any* bootable
XP CD to boot and get to the console. You can borrow one, it doesn't
matter if it's Home or Pro, OEM or retail - unless it's a Dell CD, which may
check for a Dell signature in the BIOS.

You can also fix this without the XP CD by using various other boot CDs from
Linux systems. You cannot use DOS or Win9x/ME boot disks, as they can't
read NTFS disks.

The file managers will let you get to the folders and copy the files as
needed. In the worst case you can take the drive out of your computer,
attach it to another system, and make the various file copies and renames
there. Finally, put the drive back in and complete the task with System
Restore as detailed.

Once you're back in, I would also suggest that you investigate backup
software. As well, consider a disk imaging system - this will let you
create an image of the full disk, so that when your drive fails, you can
just get a new one and be back up and running quickly. Examples of this
are Acronis TrueImage and Norton Ghost.

HTH
-pk

One way to fix the problem is to purchase a retail copy of XP media edition
and use it to perform the repair installation. During the process you will
be using the serial number / license of the new version. This would be
essentially throwing away the OEM license you got with the PC from Sony, so
you would be losing money. However, you must first be certain that you have
all required Sony-specific drivers on floppies or CDs.

A less drastic option would be to save personal files from the PC to a USB
extrenal hard drive, then unplug the USB drive. Next use Sony recovery
wizard, which will restore the hard drive to condition you received it.
Then, boot into XP and copy the files back.

HOW to copy files off of an non-booting PC? Download a free LINUX "live CD"
using any working PC. Such a CD will boot the PC into LINUX without writing
to the hard drive. Then use LINUX to copy the files to the USB disk. There
are many such CD images available for download:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

My favorite is KNOPPIX, which is a large download, but very easy to use,
somehting like XP (or maybe more like a MAC). It can handle NTFS formatted
hard drives, whihc is what XP uses. It also handles FAT32, such as used by
Windows 98. It usually self-configures everything, just set the BIOS to
boot from CD, insert the CD, reboot (or power on). Note: Most live CDs are
available only as ISO images. To write them to a CD use software like Nero
or Easy CD Creator, which support "burn from image". Never simply drag&drop
the ISO to a CD.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Main_Page

As for complaining to Sony or obtaining a lawyer, you might to first check
all your PCs documentation, including all those "terms and conditions", some
of which might be on files like PDF, TXT, HTML, etc. It is highly probable
that as part of the sale/license you agreed to accept the recovery wizard.
It is common practice for major PC makers to provide only one option to
"fix" the PC, really to fix the software, and that is to restore it back to
day one. It is your job, not their's, to have backups of your files. As
far as I know there is no law that compels them to provide an XP CD. And,
if they did, they would provide an OEM version of the CD, which can not do a
repair installation. The reason is that a repair can be used to transfer XP
from one PC to another, and that is prohibited with an OEM license. But, be
aware that OEM licenses are cheaper, and in this case you got what you paid
for. The unfortunate thing is no PC salesman ever explains exactly what you
are buying in such clear terms.

In the future, if you want a PC with a retail windows CD which supports
repair and the ability to transfer to another PC, then do not buy a major
brand. Instead make a PC yourself, or go to a mom&pop PC shop, and be
specific about retail vs OEM. Or, buy the major brand without any operating
system (save a few bucks), then buy a retail copy of windows and install it
yourself.

Another suggestion: Get a good backup program and do occassional backups of
C:. That is also your responsibility, not Sony's. If you had a recent
backup you could restore the PC and lose only things added since the date of
that backup. Better yet, partition the hard drive to leave XP and programs
on C:, and place all user files on D:. If the PC already has files on it,
you will need a third party program like Partition Magic to do this. That
way restoring C: from backup would not impact persoanl files on D:. (But,
the Sony restore wizard would probably still erase the entire hard drive.)
Backup program are things like Norton GHOST and Acronis True Image. Do not
waste your time with the Microsoft program called NtBackup.exe.


"loco2579" wrote in message
...
When I turn on my computer, I get a black screen with the following
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 screen to start repair"

I have a sony vaio that came w/ windows xp media center edition 2005, but
there were no setup cd's that came with it. The manual it came with says
that no cd's are supplied w/ the computer and that I should use the VAIO
recovery wizard utility to recover the operating system and preinstalled
software. I accessed the recovery wizard, but the only option there is to
totally wipe out everything on the hard drive and start from scratch. Is
there anyway to fix this problem without losing everything I have saved on
the computer?

Ahhhhhhhh,
This problem can be solved without purchasing a "Retail Copy of Windows"
Also, would destroy your OEM Windows system pertaining to your installed
programs and such.

"Bob Harris" wrote in message
...
One way to fix the problem is to purchase a retail copy of XP media
edition and use it to perform the repair installation. During the process
you will be using the serial number / license of the new version. This
would be essentially throwing away the OEM license you got with the PC
from Sony, so you would be losing money. However, you must first be
certain that you have all required Sony-specific drivers on floppies or
CDs.

A less drastic option would be to save personal files from the PC to a USB
extrenal hard drive, then unplug the USB drive. Next use Sony recovery
wizard, which will restore the hard drive to condition you received it.
Then, boot into XP and copy the files back.

HOW to copy files off of an non-booting PC? Download a free LINUX "live
CD" using any working PC. Such a CD will boot the PC into LINUX without
writing to the hard drive. Then use LINUX to copy the files to the USB
disk. There are many such CD images available for download:

http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php

My favorite is KNOPPIX, which is a large download, but very easy to use,
somehting like XP (or maybe more like a MAC). It can handle NTFS
formatted hard drives, whihc is what XP uses. It also handles FAT32, such
as used by Windows 98. It usually self-configures everything, just set
the BIOS to boot from CD, insert the CD, reboot (or power on). Note:
Most live CDs are available only as ISO images. To write them to a CD use
software like Nero or Easy CD Creator, which support "burn from image".
Never simply drag&drop the ISO to a CD.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Main_Page

As for complaining to Sony or obtaining a lawyer, you might to first check
all your PCs documentation, including all those "terms and conditions",
some of which might be on files like PDF, TXT, HTML, etc. It is highly
probable that as part of the sale/license you agreed to accept the
recovery wizard. It is common practice for major PC makers to provide only
one option to "fix" the PC, really to fix the software, and that is to
restore it back to day one. It is your job, not their's, to have backups
of your files. As far as I know there is no law that compels them to
provide an XP CD. And, if they did, they would provide an OEM version of
the CD, which can not do a repair installation. The reason is that a
repair can be used to transfer XP from one PC to another, and that is
prohibited with an OEM license. But, be aware that OEM licenses are
cheaper, and in this case you got what you paid for. The unfortunate
thing is no PC salesman ever explains exactly what you are buying in such
clear terms.

In the future, if you want a PC with a retail windows CD which supports
repair and the ability to transfer to another PC, then do not buy a major
brand. Instead make a PC yourself, or go to a mom&pop PC shop, and be
specific about retail vs OEM. Or, buy the major brand without any
operating system (save a few bucks), then buy a retail copy of windows and
install it yourself.

Another suggestion: Get a good backup program and do occassional backups
of C:. That is also your responsibility, not Sony's. If you had a recent
backup you could restore the PC and lose only things added since the date
of that backup. Better yet, partition the hard drive to leave XP and
programs on C:, and place all user files on D:. If the PC already has
files on it, you will need a third party program like Partition Magic to
do this. That way restoring C: from backup would not impact persoanl
files on D:. (But, the Sony restore wizard would probably still erase the
entire hard drive.) Backup program are things like Norton GHOST and
Acronis True Image. Do not waste your time with the Microsoft program
called NtBackup.exe.


"loco2579" wrote in message
...
When I turn on my computer, I get a black screen with the following
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 screen to start repair"

I have a sony vaio that came w/ windows xp media center edition 2005, but
there were no setup cd's that came with it. The manual it came with says
that no cd's are supplied w/ the computer and that I should use the VAIO
recovery wizard utility to recover the operating system and preinstalled
software. I accessed the recovery wizard, but the only option there is
to
totally wipe out everything on the hard drive and start from scratch. Is
there anyway to fix this problem without losing everything I have saved
on
the computer?