system 32\config\system prob

Ok, Im considerably new at computer stuff... so I'll give this my best.
My neighbor asked me if I could help fix his computer. It was INCREDIBLY slow, full of problems 5 minutes to start up, minutes to pop up internet, Its a considerably new computer, 2005ish an Emachine, a basic home system. I told him what I had done in the past to turn my computer back to factory conditions. I explained to him about a destructive disk recovery. He said he didn't have anything on the computer worth saving. So I went on with it. I initiated the restore process via f11. Heres where the problems hit, it prompts me to insert the cd. And then it gets to approx. 3% and stops. Then says System restore environment is incomplete! System restore reinstalls the environment.

I get this C:\1386\AGT0404.DL cannot be recovered.

Ok to abort or retry(retry just puts me back at phase one)

now his windows will now boot up and it gives me the C:\Windows\system32\config\system is missing Press R to enter recovery. (and then brings me back to step one)

I feel terrible because It was such a simple task for me to do before. And now a simple task has turned into something complex. And I feel like its my fault, although im sure its not... All I did was simple procedures that I had performed in the past and all these complex things popped up.

Thanks in advanced,

zeke.

Welcome to D-A-L.

First things first.

Is it a Desktop or Laptop machine? (Emachine makes me think it's probably a Desktop.)

"..... it prompts me to insert the cd. And then it gets to approx. 3% and stops. "

Is the XP CD a "stand-alone" CD, or is it a "branded" CD? (ie; a CD meant for that computer make/model, such as HP, Compaq, Dell, etc.)

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I was called away for a while....

Repair Install:
Perform a Repair Installation
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install


If you have a "Retail" XP CD, and you don't care about saving anything on the machine, boot to the retail XP CD and choose to wipe/over-write the "old" install and go with a fresh/clean install.

Clean Install Procedure with Illustrative Screen Captures
XP Clean Install

NOTE: You will have to source/re-install any Updates etc for the OS.

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If you do a reinstall from a retail disk you will also need drivers from the manufacturer's website.

"If you do a reinstall from a retail disk you will also need drivers from the manufacturer's website."

This is dependant on the age of the machine. If it's pre-XP, genaric drivers should be available from the XP install.

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Much appreciated. I have yet to get back to him on his computer(will be borrowing it over the weekend to fix it) The information you gave me is very insightful. Thanks again. Will get back to you on the synopsis(sp?) of whats up.

Generic drivers aren't really that functional or are they? How functional are generic drivers on such as old computer? I know what generic drivers will allow me to do on mine--basic video, basic keyboard, & mouse in addition to hard drives. No internet, terrible graphics with low resolution, no sound, etc.

Ok, the cd is the actual Emachines operating disk, its a 2006 computer presumably(disk is Copyright 06) Also, when I boot I get a screen that asks bios setting f2 or boot menu f10 then it will go right to emachines system recovery press r to display emachines system recovery wait a few seconds then pop up press f11 for system recovery. if I press nothing it takes me directly to the Windows could not start becasue the following file is missing or corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

As well as stating "You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows set up using the original set up CD Rom select R at the first screen to start repair. Im at a loss of what to do here.

Also I'd like to add, I cannot boot it into safemode.
It will not let me select an actual Option on the recovery partition screen(it skips right down to copying part(which is where I place the cd in, and get the Then says System restore environment is incomplete! System restore reinstalls the environment. problem, can retry or abort(can only abort as retrying just gives same screen over and over again).

Your explanation/sentances are running together a bit....


.....when I boot I get a screen that asks bios setting f2 or boot menu f10

Is it actually asking you to press a key to continue, or is this information only?


then it will go right to emachines system recovery press r to display emachines system recovery wait a few seconds then pop up press f11 for system recovery.

if I press nothing it takes me directly to the Windows could not start becasue the following file is missing or corrupt:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM <---- Is this last one a file name or directory (Folder) name?

As well as stating "You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows set up using the original set up CD Rom select R at the first screen to start repair.

I would choose this route.

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My Apologies, I tend to create large run-on sentences from time to time.
And the f2/f10 is just the little <press f2 for system bios> <press f10 for boot options> informational thing in the bottom right hand corner of the screen(its not forcefully asking this)

I'm pretty sure its a file name. But, on a side note I try the R option
It takes me to a screen where I get this list:

Selecting Recovery Option

Hard disk preperation

copying files <-It automatically skips to this part and prompts me to insert the CD in which it gets to the C:\I386\APRVCYMS.HT_ cannot be recovered ! asking me to retry or abort.
Retrying just reasks the option to Retry or Abort.

changing cdrom

finalizing recovery.

Time elapsed:

on a FURTHER side note.... (might or might not have something to do with the problem)
in the boot options it states that the Realtek Boot Agent intel UNDI, PXE-2.1 (build)084
Copyright 1997-2000 intell corp
for realtek rtl8139(x)\813\810X PCI fast ethernet controller v2.6 (041224)
PXE-E61: Media test failure,Check cable
PXE M0F exiting PXE ROM

then proceeds to say Press f11 for recovery. Gives 2 second timer then goes back to the windows could not start screen. Maybe this is pointing at a hardware problem?
and.... if thats the case could I just replace w/e is wrong and be done with it?

I know im asking a million questions, but I can't express in words how very much I appreciate people like you who take the time to assist others in computer education.