System corruption

[buksida]

Have a customers machine here that keeps getting the same errors repeatedly, I have formatted and installed XP pro 3 times now. The error is file corruption:

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

It works fine for a week or so after re-format then get the above error. Heres what I have tested:

Overnight diagnostic with MS Windows Memory Diagnostic (mtinst.exe) - No errors, I suspected RAM at first.

Heat: runs at around 55, with 3 case fans.

It runs fine after the install at my place and then again for around a week at the customers before the black screen pops back again. I'm now suspecting power supply so will test with a different one after the fourth re-install. Any thoughts?

[Cave_Dweller]

It sounds like a hardware problem.

Try a repair using system restore from a command prompt ( http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449 ) if the repair is successful, check the error logs.

Is the customer reporting that the PC powers down unexpectedly?

[futuretech]

It sounds like a hardware problem.

Try a repair using system restore from a command prompt ( http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449 ) if the repair is successful, check the error logs.

Is the customer reporting that the PC powers down unexpectedly?


I have also seen this with a power problem at the residence.
Constant power fluctuations can cause problems.

[buksida]

Replaced the power supply and followed instructions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

which got me back into XP. I think he did mention the powering down or restarting unexpectedly. We'll see how long it lasts for this time ....

[buksida]

37 seconds :flame:

It did it again when I re-installed the graphics card driver (Inno3d Geforce 2 440MX 64MB). Any know clashes/fixes ? Mobo is ASUS A7V8X-X

[NooNoo]

Installed the via 4 in 1's? What nvidia driver version are you using?

Did you run a full check of the hard drive?

[buksida]

Did it again this morning .... 6th time now.

BIOS flashed to latest rev 1011
Via 4 in 1 drivers installed
Service pack and updates installed
New power supply
RAM fully tested (24 hour run)
Hard Disk scanned (although will do more extensive tests)

Will download the latest Nvidia drivers (although I've used this card, board and OS on a number of other machines with no problems at all).

Getting annoyed now .............. :mad:

[NooNoo]

Turn off the l1 and l2 caches in bios... this may be a cpu problem

[buksida]

OKay, l1 and l2 caches off. Will this affect it in anyother way apart from degradation in performance (ie, will the guy know if i dont tell him ;) ) ... providing it works ?!

Also found some errors on the primary slave HDD when running an advanced scan (Western Dig 40Gig) so removed it. Wouldnt expect that to corrupt system files though.

[buksida]

Wouldn't start with l1 anf l2 disabled so had to turn them back on.

Back into XP again and re-boots intself within 2 minutes. I would lean towards dodgy mainboard but its only been replaced 3 months ago and the customer aint gonna be happy with another fried mobo.

[NooNoo]

Drop another cpu in.