Hi, I can't boot up my pc, message displayed is:

Windows 2000 could not start....
file missing or corrupt:
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
attempt to repair by starting Windows 2000 Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM

Trouble is we don't have the original Windows 2000 discs as this was a cast-off computer from my husband's ex-employer! What can I do?? Please help, I'm a complete novice when it comes to things like this.

You could try the Safe Mode option of "Last Known Good Configuration".

In order to do so keep pressing the F8 key after starting the computer.

If this doesn't work you will need another Operating System.

You can use Ubuntu for free:

Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

Thank you for your advice - tried Safe Mode option of "Last Known Good Configuration" but still come up with same problem.

To continue using Windows 2000 os could I use someone else's CD ROM to try repair or does it have to be the same one that was originally installed?

Any Win 2000 Pro disc will do.

it also happens to me.. I dont know really how it happens because it just says that. so I take my windows installer and boot from it. then reset and everything is back in normal. sometimes I do recovery console to replace the missing file.
I'm also confused on how to fix it.

Originally Posted by Dan Penny

Any Win 2000 Pro disc will do.

Found someone who will lend me a copy but they've just asked if I still have sticker with key code, unfortunately there's no sign of a code. Are we stuffed without it?

Yeah, you need the Product Key for the CD. You don't need any Registration, but you need the Product Key to load it.

Originally Posted by Dan Penny

Yeah, you need the Product Key for the CD. You don't need any Registration, but you need the Product Key to load it.

Sorry I'm probably being dim but just want to check do you mean I need the code that he has with his Windows 2000 disc? Or do you mean that I need a code that was used with original installation on my pc (which I don't have)???

There should be a 25 character Product Key on a label on your computer.

A desktop probably on the side; a laptop on the bottom.

Originally Posted by jephree

There should be a 25 character Product Key on a label on your computer.

A desktop probably on the side; a laptop on the bottom.

No sign of it unfortunately, as I mentioned it was a cast-off from my husband's ex-employer, so what do we do?