can't boot

I have a custom built system running winxp home edition. System worked fine for about 2 yrs. Occasionally would have a video resolution issue, but always resolved with reboot. 4 days ago added new usb hdd, worked fine. Installed windows updates, new hd disappeared, icons went huge. Rebooted, got windows/system32/config missing or corrupt. Tried to repair with windows xp cd, no go. Tried to reinstall, no go. Can't boot to safe mode. Can't get command prompt, can't go to last known good. Can't get into bios. When I reboot with windows cd, i get bad_pool_caller 0x000000c2. It seems I can't repair windows until I can resolve the bad pool caller issue, correct?

First off remove the USB drive.


What happens when you try to enter BIOS Setup?

This issue is totally outside of XP.

Also:

Just to clarify: When you boot the XP CD you choose:

At the "Welcome To Setup" screen:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

Do you get the 0c2 error here?

I removed the usb drive. Also, I did get into the bios and set the cd to first boot device.

I press enter at the "setup windows" screen, it begins the setup and after about 30 seconds, the oxc2 error appears. I'm using the windows xp installation cd that I used for initial install.

Because I'm unable to boot to the windows cd, does that indicate that the internal hard drive is bad?

Thanks for your help, Jephree.

I doubt that it is a hard drive issue but it is a hardware problem and or a BIOS problem.

I would remove everything from the computer with the exception of Power Supply > CPU > one stick of RAM > Graphics card > CD drive > Hard drive

Remove any PCI cards as well as any other drives as well as any IDE controllers.

If the same error occurs try a different stick of RAM (perhaps in a different slot as well).

Another attempt would be to set the BIOS Settings to Default.

If the same error occurs at the same time let us know and we can look further.

Removed hardware as you suggested, same error.

Set BIOS to default, same error.

IF my hard drive is not at fault, then a new hard drive would produce the same error.... right? I'm thinking of testing that theory.

What do you think?

That would be a good test: yes.

bad_pool_caller 0x000000c2 is a very strange error during setup.

Actually I can find no precedent.

Just to verify: This is a retail full version of Microsoft XP Home?

Another try might be to Format the hard drive prior to booting the XP CD.

I was just wondering...... Is it possible to put windows xp on the usb external hard drive and boot from that?

Only if your Motherboard supports booting from USB devices.

Not many do. The manual should point this out if it is an option.