Windows could not start -- windows/system32/config/system CORRUPT OR MISSING

[Namie]

After the memory startup screen, it goes blank for awhile and says Windows could not start 'windows\system32\config\system' is corrupt or missing and it says to insert the windows cd to repair.

I searched this problem and most of the solutions involve using Windows XP boot CD to repair; however, even though the BIOS is set to boot up to CD, it will not boot up. The CD is a working copy too. Is there a way I can repair or fix this problem using a floppy disk? Or anything else?

[Whir]

It's a real off-chance, but maybe the IDE controller isn't working properly?

Does it try to boot off the CD at all? If so, how far does it get, and what error does it give for that?

[Namie]

It's a real off-chance, but maybe the IDE controller isn't working properly?

Does it try to boot off the CD at all? If so, how far does it get, and what error does it give for that?

It says booting from cd... at this point, I hear the drive spinning louder and then gradually slowing down, but after that it just goes blank for awhile and then the same error message shows. I can only access the bios normally. Without being able to boot up to Windows CD or access to DOS, I seem to be stuck!

[Jarhed7276]

If you have more than one optical drive make sure that the Windows cd is in the master drive.

[jc lee]

I tried a few things, but kept getting "C:\windows\system32\config\system missing or corrupt"
I tried my eScan Rescue Disk I downloaded for free at:

eScan : Secure – Scalable – Reliable : Antivirus, Content Security and Firewall Protection for Servers and Endpoints

After turned my computer on with it and ran the scan and it found some trojan horses and maybe other things as well, it took care of the problems.

Next, I turned my computer back on and it started up fine and is running good too.