Hi guys, I have yet another problem with my computer.

My computer was closed down fine last night, but I awoke this morning, turned the computer on, and the computer turned on fine, then went to the usual 'Dell' screen, with the BIOS loading in the middle and the F2 to Setup and F12 to Boot Menu, then it got past that screen as it usually does.

But then, a strange black screen appeared with the following text:

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.

The only disk i have that resembles this is the 'Reinstallation CD' with Operating System in large letters at the top, is this correct disk?

And when it says I need to press 'r' to repair, when would this screen come up?

Any help much appreciated, thank you.

Joe

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q307545

The above relates to a Microsoft XP CD but try the Dell Disk and see what happens. You will always be asked if you want to do this or that so there is no problem just checking the options available.

See if the Press R for Repair comes up as an option.

Also what is the exact Dell model & number?