I went to start my laptop today and got the following error message:

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMced startup options for Windows 2000, press F8.

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000
Setup using the original Setup floppy disk or CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

Anybody know how to work around this or have a Windows 2000 disk I can borrow to get my laptop working again?

Once I get it running again, if I want to upgrade to a newer OS, would the upgrade involve clearing my harddrive? I have never done an upgrade before.

Just go with Linux on a laptop that old.

Just go with Linux on a laptop that old.
And this helps me start the laptop how? You have to remember, I know NOTHING about computers other than how to operate standard office software.

And this helps me start the laptop how? You have to remember, I know NOTHING about computers other than how to operate standard office software.


What laptop is it? Can it boot from CD?

What laptop is it? Can it boot from CD?
Yes. If I had the CD, I could boot from it. That's why I am asking if anybody has an OS disk I can borrow.

Dell C610 laptop from SMARTCO.

From SMARTCO means nothing. If it boots from CD I may still have a winXP OS disk laying around.

I can also make bootable Linux OS CD's as well. IN fact I have several ready to go.

Sorry Huntr, my laptop runs on Vista. Good luck!

Wow I looked up the specs. You would be better off with Linux. It would run much faster. Would need to see which version would work best on that Laptop.

Here is a video link with your laptop running it

YouTube - Dell C610 running Vista, XP, Puppy Linux with 256mb of RAM! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSvEsewBZ0)

Wow I looked up the specs. You would be better off with Linux. It would run much faster. Would need to see which version would work best on that Laptop.
Isn't Linux free?
Since I have a 2nd computer, is there somewhere I can download, and burn to CD, this?

Isn't Linux free?
Since I have a 2nd computer, is there somewhere I can download, and burn to CD, this?

Huntr1 = Yoda???? :faint:

:roflmao:

Huntr1 = Yoda???? :faint:

:roflmao:
Smart, I am not.

Sorry Huntr but I think you are...
NmZRDUO1wGQ

What about going onto the Microsoft website, with your other(working PC), find a section that will let you download onto a CD, the OS for your laptop, according to it's specifications?

Look for a section refering how to download a lost OS software. Might be useful?

Can you boot it up in safe mode? If it will boot up in safe mode then run scan disk and have it automatically fix errors, that should fix the file.

Can you boot it up in safe mode? If it will boot up in safe mode then run scan disk and have it automatically fix errors, that should fix the file.
Safe mode did not work. Got the same error.

One person has recommended Linux variant Ubuntu 8.04.

I know nothing about Linux.

What is the difference between the different versions?

Yes Linux is free. Just need to have an image burn program to burn the CD. Use ImageBurn application it is free. I am not sure that 8.04 will work on that laptop. You can try it though. I tried a few on an older laptop and ended up using Mandriva on it. I have Ubuntu 8.04 on my new Dell XPS laptop.

Some of the different distributions of Linux have different user interfaces. the KDE desktop is more windows looking in general. While the Gnome interface I like better.

Yes Linux is free. Just need to have an image burn program to burn the CD. Use ImageBurn application it is free. I am not sure that 8.04 will work on that laptop. You can try it though. I tried a few on an older laptop and ended up using Mandriva on it. I have Ubuntu 8.04 on my new Dell XPS laptop.

Some of the different distributions of Linux have different user interfaces. the KDE desktop is more windows looking in general. While the Gnome interface I like better.I have a similar laptop to Huntr1's running XUBUNTU 8.04. It's easy to use; the one big difference is your menu to get to your web browser and some other aps is by right clicking on the desktop.

I have XUBUNTU, PUPPY LINUX on CD-R....if your local (ST. Mary's) I can give them to you. Both are kde. I also have UBUNTU 8.04 and Dream Linux (I don't think either of those will work on your Laptop though).

If you are just interested in getting the W2K to work, try what Penn suggested.

Be aware that if you load Linux, you will loose all the data on your disk. If you have things that need recovering, you need to take the drive out and plug it into another PC as a secondary drive and recover your data, if you can't get a hold of a Win2K disk.

One more option/suggestion; try logging on to the Dell website and entering the model and serial numbers of your laptop - see if you can possibly download the software you require from them. On the bottom of your laptap, there should be located all the data you'll need to get what you want.

Lastly, maybe talk to someone in customer service, and see if they can assist you?

Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
The registry is corrupt. From your working computer download this CD Image (http://www.pariswells.com/drivers/Registry%20Repairer.iso) at this site (http://pariswells.com/blog/fixes/windows-2000-registry-repair-bootable-cd). Follow the instructions.

The registry is corrupt. From your working computer download this CD Image (http://www.pariswells.com/drivers/Registry%20Repairer.iso) at this site (http://pariswells.com/blog/fixes/windows-2000-registry-repair-bootable-cd). Follow the instructions.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
It worked. Computer is starting up right now.
YOU ROCK! :notworthy

I am posting this from my laptop. Have been online and doing paperwork on here for the last couple hours. Thank you all.

quote=huntr1;3916214]I am posting this from my laptop. Have been online and doing paperwork on here for the last couple hours. Thank you all.[/quote]

Congrats! You are up and running again! :howdy:

I am posting this from my laptop. Have been online and doing paperwork on here for the last couple hours. Thank you all.
No problem. Might I advise you to run a chkdsk /f from the command prompt. It ask you if you want to run at next boot. Press Y and reboot. If it finds an excessive amount of bad sectors your drive is failing. I don't think this happening but it is just one symptom of why the registry was corrupt.

No problem. Might I advise you to run a chkdsk /f from the command prompt. It ask you if you want to run at next boot. Press Y and reboot. If it finds an excessive amount of bad sectors your drive is failing. I don't think this happening but it is just one symptom of why the registry was corrupt.
Thanks. I will try that tonight.