Windows cannot start because of missing or corrupt

[naicidrac]

Last night I tried to start my computer and I recieved an error message that Windows could not start because of a missing or corrupted file.  I have been without the internet for a while so I do not think it is a virus or anything.  I also ran a hard drive diagnostic and the HD passed.  What are my options now and how do I resolve this?  I have looked everywhere and I cannot find my XP start up disc.  Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

[quote name=\'naicidrac\' date=\'Aug 25 2005, 08:21 AM\']Last night I tried to start my computer and I recieved an error message that Windows could not start because of a missing or corrupted file.  I have been without the internet for a while so I do not think it is a virus or anything.  I also ran a hard drive diagnostic and the HD passed.  What are my options now and how do I resolve this?  I have looked everywhere and I cannot find my XP start up disc.  Thanks in advance.

[post=\"53236\"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

[/quote]
 Make sure your BIOS boots up your CD rom. Happended to me today, it turned out to be a virus http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':huh:\' />  That screwed up my regestry

[naicidrac]

Thanks for the help.  Do you mean just make sure my CD-ROM is booting or is booting first.  I barrowed a Windows CD install disc from a friend and I first checked my BIOS and saw that my CD-ROM is first in the boot up sequence.  When I saw the Dell logo I pressed "r" to get into the repair console and it gives me an error 8206 and says that there is a keyboard failure hit F1 to continue which does nothing and then F2 to get into setup utility which takes me to the BIOS.  Thanks for all the help.

[Guest]

Yes, ake sure the Bios is booting up the CD Rom. Is the disk the full edition of windows? What OS are you running? Usualy, the screen would say, press any key to boot from CD.  From there, you would see the windows set up screen. It should give you the option of the Recovery console. Don't select that. Press instal. Then I should give you the option again, if not, your regestry has been serverly corrupted, and you need to Re-instal Windows. Make sure there isn't anything important on your computer, before reinstalling. Keep us posted.

[naicidrac]

Thanks for all the help,
I have tried everything that I know to do.  I took it to one of my friends who is more technical thatn I and we messed with it for about 30 minutes, but still could not get it figured out.  He wanted me to leave it overnight so he might get it figured out.  If not I will take it to a computer technician.  I can follow intstructions and usually figure thing out, but this time I am not getting any ideas.  I have MX XP homedition and that is what my installation disc is too.  The CD-ROM is the first in the boot sequence and the LED on the cd rom lights up, but I don't ever hear the CD spin.   I also have never seen that screen wher I get the option to boot from cd or press any key.  I have seen that screen about two years ago though when I had a problem with my hard drive, but this time I ran a diagnostic on my hard drive and it says it passed so it must be in my OS.  If I just turn on the computer I see the dell logo and then a black screen for about a minute, then I get that error message about the file being missing or corrupted.  I will keep messing with it and I hope I can get it figured out because there is a lot of stuff on there that I don't want to lose.  Thanks for all the help guys.

[Guest]

If you are sure that the CDROM drive is set for the highest boot priority and you can not boot to the CDROM then it probably hardware problem. But you may want to try if the system boot from floppy disk just to narrow down the problem area.

[naicidrac]

One of my friends mentioned that, and he said he would help me with that.  He said we could get a 3.5'' floppy and try to boot from that.  I called a local computer tech. and he told me that he could fix the problem so I might just go that route.  I am totally a DIY kind of guy, but this has gone on for two weeks now and I am still paying for my cable internet.  I have asked my friends and you guys here in the forums.  I have come to the end of my rope so I think I will just take it in and see what hapens.  Thanks for all the help and I will keep you guys posted.

[Flipback]

[quote name=\'naicidrac\' date=\'Aug 26 2005, 10:03 AM\']Thanks for the help.  Do you mean just make sure my CD-ROM is booting or is booting first.  I barrowed a Windows CD install disc from a friend and I first checked my BIOS and saw that my CD-ROM is first in the boot up sequence.  When I saw the Dell logo I pressed "r" to get into the repair console and it gives me an error 8206 and says that there is a keyboard failure hit F1 to continue which does nothing and then F2 to get into setup utility which takes me to the BIOS.  Thanks for all the help.

[post=\"53350\"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

[/quote]

CD-ROM must be fist in the boot sequence. Don't press "r" When you see the dell logo. Wait untill the screen reads: "To boot from cd press any key" and do just that. Press any key on your key board and it should begin the installation process. Try installing windows over the current partition and I do not believe that it will delete the files.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this you can always get a professional but being a "DIY" guy you might just try this out.

Take care and I hope that all goes well for you.
Flip