PC Experts Need Help...IMPORTANT.

[eroswebmaster]

I just built a new system and when I went to bed it was loading fine on start up.
This morning after putting in a new NIC Card I am now getting a message stating that the windows config file is either missing or corrupted and I need to repair it.
I have the CDRom as the first boot device however when it comes time to boot from CD it says to hit any key and I cannot get the system to respond.
Any sugestions?

[eroswebmaster]

Anyone have any suggestions. I have searched google and can't seem to find anything along the lines that I am describing.

[arnette]

remove the nic and try it, see if its actually the problem

[nudecanada]

It's probably that NIC card, my guess is you put in the card, and the drivers didn't install, now windows is looking for them on startup in the config file and can't find them?

Have you tried taking the NIC card out and booting?

Do you think maybe as windows is booting, it hangs before it can boot from the CD?

I am old school, and install my OS from boot floppies, not CD ROM. If you have an a: drive, maybe have your BIOS seek that before the CD ROM, wipe the drive, and install your OS again but have the NIC card plugged in while you are installing.

I always install my OS with no cards in it, and add them one by one and have never had problems like that, though.

It just sounds like windows sees the NIC card, and can't find any driver information for it. So it hangs asking for config info.

It probably isn't booting from CDROM because it isn't getting to that point in the boot sequence where it can see the CDROM.

Maybe go to the website of the NIC card and see if there is any info, as well. They might have a solution where you can download and install drivers from floppies.

[eroswebmaster]

remove the nic and try it, see if its actually the problem

Nope not the issue.

[loverboy]

make sure the NIC comes with a driver that is compatible with your OS.

[eroswebmaster]

It's probably that NIC card, my guess is you put in the card, and the drivers didn't install, now windows is looking for them on startup in the config file and can't find them?

Have you tried taking the NIC card out and booting?

Do you think maybe as windows is booting, it hangs before it can boot from the CD?

I am old school, and install my OS from boot floppies, not CD ROM. If you have an a: drive, maybe have your BIOS seek that before the CD ROM, wipe the drive, and install your OS again but have the NIC card plugged in while you are installing.

I always install my OS with no cards in it, and add them one by one and have never had problems like that, though.

It just sounds like windows sees the NIC card, and can't find any driver information for it. So it hangs asking for config info.

It probably isn't booting from CDROM because it isn't getting to that point in the boot sequence where it can see the CDROM.

Maybe go to the website of the NIC card and see if there is any info, as well. They might have a solution where you can download and install drivers from floppies.

I just tried taking the NIC card out and still having issues.
As far as not seeing the CD-Rom I get to the point that it tells me to hit any key to boot from CD Rom and for some reason when I hit keys on my keyboard it does not respond, however I have no issues getting into bios.

Also I installed the NIC AFTER I had installed windows...I too wait to install everything after I put the OS on.

[eroswebmaster]

make sure the NIC comes with a driver that is compatible with your OS.

Yep Windows XP.

[JSA Matt]

What is the exact error message? Are there any system errors in the event viewer?

[loverboy]

Yep Windows XP.

with regards to your system not booting up, i guess you start all over again...
unless there is another way out to properly log in.

if you can paste the exact error in your system, it could help us more

[eroswebmaster]

What is the exact error message? Are there any system errors in the event viewer?

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 Set up CD-ROM.
Select R at the first screen to repair.


The problem is when I get to the point I can try to boot form CD rom I have to "hit any key." For some reason I'm not getting a response when I type on mykeyboard.

[pradaboy]

Some USB keyboards do not respond correctly when starting up, try an old fashioned serial keyboard

[JSA Matt]

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 Set up CD-ROM.
Select R at the first screen to repair.


The problem is when I get to the point I can try to boot form CD rom I have to "hit any key." For some reason I'm not getting a response when I type on mykeyboard.

Have you tried to disable all boot devices except the CDROM? It should make it boot from the CDROM without having to push a key.

[StuBradley]

Run fdisk and reformat the hard drive. Spend another hour re-uploading the OS from scratch (I recommend without the NIC). If you are still having probs then it is a hardware error.

[loverboy]

Run fdisk and reformat the hard drive. Spend another hour re-uploading the OS from scratch (I recommend without the NIC). If you are still having probs then it is a hardware error.

id probably take this advice, start with a clean setup and try using a different NIC. from there, you will know if its indeed a hardware issue.

[dennisthemenace]

While trying these other options I would also advise you to check all your cabling to drives. There is a possibility that while installing and uninstalling the NIC you may have unintentionally knocked one of your cables a little off.

From that point it's best to eliminate ALL possibilities.

Disconnect all drive cables but CD and see if you can boot right from there. If no, there is a slight possibility you may have cracked your mobo installing the nic. If it does boot then reattach the HD cable and reinstall OS (as someone already suggested). Could be funky cables, could be weak powersupply, could be screwed HD.. There are as many possibilities as their are parts. As a retired tech the best I can tell you is go from bare bones and add one thing at a time as they work.

Best of luck with it.

[eroswebmaster]

Some USB keyboards do not respond correctly when starting up, try an old fashioned serial keyboard

That helped..thx.

[pradaboy]

That helped..thx.

sometimes the solution is so close you cannot see it

[teksonline]

f8 is your friend, press it at boot and boot in safe mode

[eroswebmaster]

f8 is your friend, press it at boot and boot in safe mode

I tried..it wouldn't boot.
I am now reformatting the HD and then we'll try this all again with a new NIC card.