windows wont start

[KillToy]

Yestarday everything was working fine, and this morning when i go to check my mail i get this message:

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 cd-rom select 'r' at the first screen to start repair

Ive tried putting in the windows cd but nothing is happening? Please help

[eFX]

get yourself mem test on a floppy drive and check your memory, but last time something like this happened to me....my CPU cache went bad. Good luck to you, and keep us updated.

[hulksterjoe]

virus.. looky here

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=751393

[KillToy]

i dont think thats the same thing.... mine isnt a "popup" windows wont even start, i used the windows cd to boot yestarday and it worked but no when i try not even that works

[Ranma_Sao]

Your System Registry Hive got corrupted.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q269075
(Explains how to restore from backup)

[KillToy]

ok im stumped... when i press R in the repair menu i get an error message telling me to restart if it is the first time i get the message or to disable the antivirus and disc defrag and to run chkdsk...... how exactally whould i run chkdsk?

[rive22]

Your System Registry Hive got corrupted.
correct. i had the same thing happen to me. i ended up just reformatted because i didn't want to screw around anymore trying to figure it out. turns out later, i looked online and figured out it was the damn registry cleaning program that i was using. it corrupted my crap. from now on i use regsupreme and it works wonders with no problems.

also, if you are worried about any data that is on there, well you can get it back, but you need another hard drive to do that.