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[shattyboombatty]

I'm guessing quite, but here's the deal: Out of the blue, my computer would not boot, and I got this error message:

"Can not boot blahblah because the following is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system"

So I was able to restore that by copying another 'system' from a recovery directory to the system32 directory.

But NOOOOOOOW I get this error several times when I boot:

"Hardware failure: contact original computer manufacturer"

At least now I can back stuff up since my last backup, but is reinstalling back onto this computer even going to be worth it? If there's a generic hardware failure I don't know where to start as far as tracking it down. Given the first error I'm guess bad HD... but can't be sure since it may just not like the 'system' file I restored.

Does anyone know any good hardware trouble shooting software? Short of replacing ALL my hardware, how can I try to isolate a bad MB/CPU/PS/RAM/HD?

 

[Lhadatt]

Sounds like it doesn't like the hardware abstraction layer or something. Wild guess, I could be way off... but copying the system32/config/system files usually isn't the way to go.

Did you try a repair install? Stick the Windows disk in the cd drive, boot to it, and try to install Windows to the same folder it's in now. Pick the "R" option for a repair install when it asks. Don't let it do a full install, that will overwrite your settings.

 

[shattyboombatty]

I resorted to copying the system file so I wouldnt have to do a repair install... sounds like that's what I have to do anyways.

When I hit 'r' doesn't that bring me to the recovery console? Or will it offer me the repair install later on in the process?

 

[Lhadatt]

Don't hit R at the beginning - it will offer a different mode for R later.

 

[shattyboombatty]

Ah... I forgot about that step as usually I skip it. =) thanks for the help GAF, I'll be back. (hopefully)

 

[Lhadatt]

Proceed with valor, brave computer user! For you venture unto the Land of Pestilence and Strife! Yea verily, Windows hath scorched this once-plentiful land into the charred remains you see before you...