Alex_computer Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374260 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Ok, so I am working on this one laptop that has Windows XP. When I originally got it, it was having the "Windows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \Windows\System32\Config\System."So I then reformatted the machine and got everything running again. So I shut it down, and then turn it back on again and then bang, same message. So I thought ok, freaky coincidence, and so I reformatted again. However, this will be the third time that this error has come up after 2 reformats!What on earth could cause this to happen 3 times in a row and survive 2 reformats? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile360 Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374282 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Happening repeatedly like that sounds to me like there may actually be a hardware issue. Either with your hard drive or RAM. Still, it might help you to take a look through this Microsoft Knowledgebase Article. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted January 15, 2011 Root Admin ID:374283 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Are you formatting or doing an FDISK and deleting the partition as part of the install?I would delete the partition and allow the installer to create a new one. Then as soon as you can run a full CHKDSKCHKDSK C: /R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 15, 2011 Author ID:374285 Share Posted January 15, 2011 That is actually the article that I went to first. I replaced all the files and everything, and then when it booted up, the registry was all messed up so I just went ahead and reformatted. What are some good, free RAM testing tools? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted January 15, 2011 Root Admin ID:374288 Share Posted January 15, 2011 http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 15, 2011 Author ID:374289 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I'm deleting the partition, and then allowing the installer to format and create a new one.Another thijng that I have noticed, is that before you reboot and it stops working, a message pops up on the startup saying that a program or something caused an issue, so Windows replaced a registry hive. I don't know what might be replacing it since they are fresh installs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWB Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374345 Share Posted January 15, 2011 hmmm ...do you have a known good "spare" HD that you can pop into place and then do a full install (including a formatting of the drive as part of the install procedure) ?as an option , you can use killdisk to completely wipe the test drive first ... there is another thread in this section that mentions killdisk . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 15, 2011 Author ID:374475 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Results from Windows Memory Diagnostics:Failed MATS+ testFailed Stride6 TestFailed WMATS+ TestFailed WINVC TestSo it failed 4 of 6 tests. I'm guessing this means time for some new RAM, correct? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile360 Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374513 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Sure sounds like it, though you might want to give it a second run through the test just for verification (though I've run the Windows Memory Diagnostic more than once on several of my own systems and never had any failed tests). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 15, 2011 Author ID:374519 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I know it's definately failing because I just got a STOP error on it and I looked up the code and it said it was a RAM related error.What are some good and trusted sites to get a 1GB stick of ram for a Dell Latitude D430? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile360 Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374535 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I looked up your model. It uses DDR2 667MHz (666 technically). I filtered the results on Newegg for the specs of your RAM for a single 1GB stick. The results can be found here.I personally like Kingston myself as it has been very reliable for me in the past. Newegg has this one for $18.99 with free shipping. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile360 Posted January 15, 2011 ID:374537 Share Posted January 15, 2011 By the way, your full system specs can be found here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 16, 2011 Author ID:374560 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks a bunch Sam for looking that up. Can't beat free shipping because that is usually about half the cost!Also, thanks Ron for the memory test! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWB Posted January 16, 2011 ID:374615 Share Posted January 16, 2011 ahhh ... good that you found the cause in theory . the absolute proof is after you install the ram . you might want to consider a full boat of ram for your machine ...it will address 2 gigs . grab 2 sticks in the link that E360 provided .you will notice a difference in your machine . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_computer Posted January 16, 2011 Author ID:374622 Share Posted January 16, 2011 It's a customer's machine, so that is all they want and plus they are running Windows XP.Trust me if it was my machine, then I would have atleast 3GB. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkSnakeKobra Posted January 16, 2011 ID:374625 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I looked up your model. It uses DDR2 667MHz (666 technically). I filtered the results on Newegg for the specs of your RAM for a single 1GB stick. The results can be found here.I personally like Kingston myself as it has been very reliable for me in the past. Newegg has this one for $18.99 with free shipping.Kingston seems pretty good. Never had a problem since I upgraded the ram from 2GB to 4GB. I can't remember what the second was, but I think it started with a Q.Edit: Think it's Qimonda. Thanks SPECCY. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile360 Posted January 16, 2011 ID:374644 Share Posted January 16, 2011 ahhh ... good that you found the cause in theory . the absolute proof is after you install the ram . Actually, all you have to do to verify it is pull the bad gig (assuming this machine has 2GB). If the machine works without errors on a single stick, including passing all memory tests, then you trade sticks and the other one has errors and fails tests, you know what the problem is and which stick is the cause.If you're a tech you may also have spare RAM around for testing purposes that you can use to swap out and see if that corrects the issues as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin AdvancedSetup Posted January 16, 2011 Root Admin ID:374648 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm a NewEgg user too, but another good source is Crucial which I often also use. However NewEgg certainly ships much faster.Latitude D430 Memory - CrucialThey also have a wealth of information related to RAM on their support forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWB Posted January 16, 2011 ID:374733 Share Posted January 16, 2011 It's a customer's machine, so that is all they want and plus they are running Windows XP.Trust me if it was my machine, then I would have atleast 3GB.maybe i misread the specs at the link provided or there is an error in the specs they present .the blurb sheet mentions/alludes to that it supports 2 gigs of ram total .yeah man ... customers and friends .at least with a customer , when they don't quite "get it" , ya don't feel so bad . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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