Dell Latitude C400 Notebook Logo
Posted on Oct 10, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Windows XP corrupted - Why can't I reload windows

Windows XP corrupted (System 32 and perhaps many other files and windows will not boot) on Dell C400 laptop - Why can't I reload windows through the usb port?
It sees the generic external usb device = cd drive with usb (actice green led blips), but the prompt on computer to restore windows won't recognize external usb cd drive.
Thank you for any ideas on this matter.
Bryan

1 Answer

Anonymous

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  • Posted on Oct 10, 2009
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You have to change the bios settings for making it boot from usb device. look at boot menu on the bios/usb cd-rom

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1helpful
1answer

Hello, I have a Dell Inspiron laptop, it boots to the windows logo, then black screen with cursor. I have tried to boot in safe mode to no avail same problem. Can you assit me please. Thank you...

instead of Safe Mode, have you tried Last Known Good Configuration from the boot menu?

If that doesn't work you may have corrupted windows system files.
You can rule out the hardware by downloading and burning a CD with a Linux Live system on it. That will boot into a Linux desktop without installing anything on your hard disk or overwriting your files. If that boots OK then you know that your windows system files are damaged and you may need to reload windows.
tip

Boot problems and their possible causes & resolutions

Symptoms:
Black screen
"Invalid Partition Table"
"Error loading operating system"
"Missing operating system"


Cause:
Corrupt Master Boot Record (MBR)

Resolution:
Boot into Recovery Console and run "fixmbr" to repair the MBR

--

Symptoms:
"A disk read error occurred"
"NTLDR is missing"
"NTLDR is compressed"


Cause:
Corrupt boot sector

Resolution:
Boot into Recovery Console and run "fixboot" to repair the boot sector

--

Symptoms:
"BOOT.INI is missing or corrupt"
"Boot device inaccessible"
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll"


Cause:
BOOT.INI missing, corrupt or out of date as a partition has been inserted

Resolution:
Boot into Recovery Console and run "bootcfg /rebuild" to repair the BOOT.INI

--

Symptoms:
"Windows could not start not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"


Cause:
Corrupt/missing system hive

Resolution:
1. Boot into Recovery Console and run "chkdsk C: /f" to check the system disk for errors and fix them, then reboot.
2. If the error continues and System Restore is enabled, copy the system hive from the last restore point into \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
3. If the error continues, copy the system hive from \WINDOWS\REPAIR into \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
4. If the error continues, perform a repair installation by booting from the Windows installation media


--

Symptoms:
"Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem.
Could not read from the selected boot disk, Check boot path and disk hardware."


Cause:
Boot volume (with Windows folder) is not accessible as defined in BOOT.INI

Resolution:
Check the boot volume is accessible

--

Symptoms:
Dual-boot 32-bit Windows and 64-bit Windows system reports "NTOSKRNL.EXE is corrupt" trying to boot into 64-bit Windows

Cause:
System volume contains an older boot loader than the boot volume requires - e.g. XP SP2 installed after XP x64

Resolution:
Copy NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR from XP x64 installation media to the root of the system volume
on May 03, 2010 • Computers & Internet
0helpful
2answers

My dell c400 will not boot windows. it tries then goes to the screen to ask to boot in safe mode. will not boot in safe mode. run diagnostics and it passes everything. any ideas

You need to repair your windows system files.
For that you need windows disk recovery disk.
If you don't have windows disk then buy it from nmearest computer shop.
It is very useful for your computer life.
Insert that disk into cd/dvd rom then when you power up the computer press F1 or F2 or del or ALT + F2 key to enter in bios .
then go to boot menu and st first boot device as cd.dvd rom then save settings and exit.
Then it boot from disk then follow the procedure and press any key to boot from cd..
Then wait for 5 minutes then you can see scren to choose option choose R for enter in recovery console then type in prompt "chkdsk /r" then press enter.
Then it fix and recover error on harddrive.
Then restart computer and again boot with disk then this time choose R for repair previous windoiws then it repair old windows then you can get back your windows.
Let me know if you need further assistance.
Thanks for using FixYa.
0helpful
1answer

I have a Dell Latitude C400 Laptop. it will not load Win XP

Try to make sure that all the cables are connected properly and that your hard drive has enough memory. Then make sure that your Windows XP DVD is not corrupted. Another thing you should try is loading a different OS like Vista or Windows 7.
0helpful
1answer

File missing or corrupt press r

repair the windows or reload the windows. use the os recover disk that came with your system. insert the disk and follow the prompt.
0helpful
1answer

Dell latiyude C400

The system is in a reboot loop. Possible causes are:

Corrupt installation of Windows
Bad Hard Drive
Bad RAM
Bad Motherboard.

Try booting to the Windows XP CD, see if you can access recovery console and run CHKDSK /R If that doesn't resolve, boot to the resource CD, and run diagnostics on the HDD

If you can't, boot to the XP CD or Resource CD, try removing the HDD and booting to the CD. If the system boots then, the HDD is most likely bad.

If you can't boot to any device, try RAM modules individually, see if system boots with only 1 module installed. If no change, then motherboard is bad. On a system this age, I do not recommend replacing a motherboard as it is not cost effective
0helpful
1answer

Error message when starting up: <Windowsroot>\system 32\hal.dll. Please reinstall a copy of the above file.

This issue happens if boot files are corrupted .. you need to have the Operating System Cd to resolve this problem . Considering you have windows xp you need to have the installation cd for windows xp .
you need to use bootcfg command to resolve the issue.

Go to bios and change the boot sequence to boot from the cd, if you are not able to boot from the cd. and then boot using windows xp cd .

Then push R to go to recovery console and use the below command

Boot to Recovery Console and rebuild the BOOT.INI file with the BOOTCFG /REBUILD
command.

0helpful
1answer

I can not get my system boot up it says Windows 32 /system file missing.......... what to do

Your operating system seems to be Corrupt. you need put windows xp Cd and repair the windows
1helpful
2answers

Network Boot

hi,
i have dell c400 laptop, its to much simple to install xp
first you just take out hdd from laptop
plug in tht hdd in desktop pc by external usb box
now u just start windows 98 setup in it
when it started first format ur drive then install it
when windows 98 setup files copies to 100%. machine need to restart
u just plug out the hdd and plug in back to laptop
now the setup will remain start in ur laptop and when the installation complete u just upgrade ur windows from 98 to xp by intalling xp from external drive on OPERATING SYSTEM OF 98 WINDOWS
NOW WAT U SAY???
ITS TO MUCH SIMPLE just try once
0helpful
1answer

Windows. file missing or corrupt system32 config

If you're running XP, boot to the XP cd, if available (if not, mail me and I can send you a dell XP disc)
Pass the first repair opportunity, press f8, then it should allow you to do a windows repair. Do that. You will keep all your files, but windows will be completely reloaded. Will need to get updates, but that's it.
Good luck
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