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InigoMontoya27
8th June 2006, 17:56
OK, so I was on my computer yesterday playing BF2 like I have been lately and everything's fine. The next day I go to boot up my system and I get

Windows cannot find the file C:\Windows\System32\Config\System
You can attempt to recover the file using the recovery console in you Windows CD. Simply press r on the bootup screen...blah, blah, blah.

Great, the same thing happened to my in-laws computer a while back and I had to reinstall Windows to fix it. So, I boot to my Windows CD and select r to start the recovery console and it tells me it can't find any hard disks connected to the computer.

So, I make sure my RAID array is working fine, which it is. Then I run an antivirus boot disk which scans through my drives just fine. The BIOS recognizes my drives just fine.

As an added bonus my new USB keyboard doesn't work, so I have to hookup and old PS/2 keyboard. A funny thing is either one stays lit up the whole time it's plugged in, even with the computer off.

I've checked and re-checked all my connections, everything's fine. I haven't changed anything lately aside from a new keyboard about a week ago.

Any ideas how to fix this problem, other than getting a new hard drive and starting over? The only thing I can think to do is possibly use another drive and load up Windows, then see if I can repair the registry on my RAID array. The drives are IDE, so this might be difficult. I guess I would have to have the new drive in IDE channel 1, the CD-ROM in channel 2, and the RAID drives in 3 and 4...

By the way, I have tried a different Windows CD and get the same thing. Please help, I have a LAN party TOMORROW!!!
CandyKid
8th June 2006, 18:16
Try this at a command prompt:

sfc /scannow

Use the repair prompt through the Windows XP CD-ROM to run it and all should be well.

What it does is scan and replace all Windows System Files. If your DLLCACHE folder (hidden folder) is intact and uncorrupted, then the updated files will be used. If this folder IS corrupted, then older files from the XP CD-ROM will be used and you may have to run auto-update again.

PLUR
CK
InigoMontoya27
8th June 2006, 18:55
The problem is how do I get to a command prompt?
bobvillain
8th June 2006, 19:07
Use the repair prompt through the Windows XP CD-ROM to run it and all should be well.

he means use the recovery console. boot to the xp disc and select repair.
InigoMontoya27
8th June 2006, 19:09
As I stated in my first post the recovery console will not work because it says it can't find any hard drives attached to my computer.
ỒĊBłůē
8th June 2006, 19:24
How about downloading the set of XP boot disks?
InigoMontoya27
8th June 2006, 19:27
I guess I could do that...will that give me a command prompt?
ỒĊBłůē
8th June 2006, 19:35
IIRC they will - it's been a while though.

You might find more info here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310994).
bobvillain
8th June 2006, 19:58
did you load your sata/raid drivers using F6 when you start booting to the xp cd?
CandyKid
8th June 2006, 20:13
*cough*

Alrighty, go to www.bootdisks.com and download an XP boot disk. This should get you into Windows, from there, go to the RUN dialogue and enter sfc /scannow.

If that doesn't work, an older Windows version boot disk will give you a prompt.

PLUR
CK
InigoMontoya27
8th June 2006, 21:24
Bob, I would if I had a floppy drive, took it out to make room. Maybe I'll have to hook it up again to fix this. Thought about that maybe being the problem, but wasn't sure. Windows won't even recognize a RAID stripe without loading the drivers using F6?
bobvillain
9th June 2006, 01:00
no, i don't think it will ever recognize a raid array without external drivers. well, it might, if the drivers are built in, but i doubt it. there are some sata chipsets that are recognized, but i don't think any of them are recognized if you have a raid array setup.

i.e. some nforce boards will load windows onto a sata drive without external drivers, but i think you would still need them if you had a raid array on the same sata chipset.

but i'm not entirely sure of all that, the only thing i am sure of is that you should try with the drivers on a floppy. :thumb: if that doesn't work then you might have some bigger problems than your windows install being cranky.

i usually just leave my case open and plug in a floppy temporarily while i setup windows initially.
CandyKid
9th June 2006, 15:29
I think bob's right... you've gotta have those drivers.

FWIW, I did manage to install Windows on two boards... ABit AA8 DuraMAX and an ASUS P5AD2-E using a SATA drive w/out drivers, but it wouldn't even think about doing RAID without them.

PLUR
CK
Reitau
9th June 2006, 22:57
Bob, I would if I had a floppy drive, took it out to make room. Maybe I'll have to hook it up again to fix this. Thought about that maybe being the problem, but wasn't sure. Windows won't even recognize a RAID stripe without loading the drivers using F6?

The answer is there - without the RAID controller software the Windows XP environment cannot see the disks therefore the partition, therefore give you command prompt.

Once at command prompt the Chkdsk /r will fix it and PC will be well again, done this hundreds and hundreds of times now since XP came out!