XP Pro start up problem

Well for starters it should be:
windows\system32\config\systemprofile. I don't believe there is a Window directory or a subdirectory config\system.
have you tried F8 and revert to last known good boot?
Or Safe Mode and do a system restore?
Have you run spyware programs such as SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.04 and Adaware Personal 1.06?
If you have lost your CD, you may need to get another from M$.

I have tried all the normal steps to recover but to no avail.
When I get into the cmos and bios settings it shows NO harddrive...even when trying the auto detect.

Please any other suggestions?????

The first answer is incorrect. This error is that the registry 'System' hive is damaged or corrupt. It can be replaced by booting into the recovery console and replacing it with the 'backup' that automatically gets created on the system build, or a backup that you have made. The system build backup will probably have some problems, and drivers may need to be reinstalled (if they were updated or HW changed). The backup reg files are c:\Windows\Repair or %systemroot%\repair\system.
I do not remember if all of the reg files need to be replaced when replacing one of them, but it may be the case. I hope this helps.

More than likely you have either a BAD HDD or M'Board so I would first check the leads to the HDD and replace them if they look even suspect and if you have an IDE drive that's one with a 40 pin connector replace the IDE lead and run the HDD off the end connector. If that still doesn't see the HDD make sure that the power lead is actually working as sometimes they can have the pins push out so you should try another plug if you have a spare one and if that doesn't work you'll have to pull the HDD make sure that the jumper is set to Cable Select and that you have the HDD on the end of the cable disconnect any other drives that may be on that cable and see if it is then detected in BIOS if not you have a bad HDD that needs replacing and any data on it that is not backed up will be lost unless you are willing to pay the price of the cost of recovery generally somewhere between 1 to 3 K AU depending on what is required.

If the HDD has gone you'll need another copy of Windows XP as well to reinstall on a new HDD which are cheap now days you should be able to pickup a 40 or 80 GIG drive for under $100.00 AU new and possibly cheaper if you shop around. Currently an 80 GIG dive is only something like $16.00 AU more expensive than the 40 GIG unit so I always use an 80 GIG unless the M'Board will not support a drive of that size.

Col

The error message suggests that Windows was trying to boot from a HD. Your BIOS may not list the HD in Primary (or Secondary) IDE if your HD is a SATA.

I suggest you do a HD diagnostic test first.
If it fails, replace the HD and clean install Windows. If you need data recovery try the fist procedure below.
If the HD diagnostic test passes, try the first and then the second procedure below if necessary.

1. CHKDSK /R
Your Windows File System might have been corrupted. Because you do not have the original CD, you have to borrow a comparable CD (you have to match Retail, Upgrade, OEM, or Corp version), connect your HD to a Win2K or WinXP system, or use a third party software (ERD Commander or Bart PE, for example) to run the command.

2. System Restore
http://tinyurl.com/7ptt How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
This procedure assumes you had not turned off System Restore. If you had, do not try this.
This is basically to boot the computer to Windows that was originally setup. Once you boot to Windows, you make the System Restore points available and enable the Windows to boot the next time with the latest healthy Registry. This requires to use Recovery Console and therefore you must have a comparable Windows CD.

If you need more information, please add a comment.

The original cd rom is no longer accessible is a problem,it will limit your options is recovering from corrupt registry files

1)Try booting into safe mode and restoring the system to an earlier date when system was fully functional

2)Without the Recovery Console option,you may have to check for third party registry repair software

The machine is starting to boot up into windows so it's obviously not a hardware problem.

with the system hive corrupt, you're not getting into safe mode, you're not going to boot to last known good, you're not going to do anything. without getting a hold of a windows cd from somewhere, you're pretty much hosed.

once you get a hold of that cd, this article lists step by step how to restore it to a point where it should be exactly the same as it was.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

I see your additional note, that the HDD is inaccessible now. I would expect that it may not have been corrupt, but the drive has failed. Try plugging the drive into another system, this will let you know if the problem is with the drive or motherboard. If it is with the MB, then probably the drive controller failed.

you rejected many answers . now how far can you go in a boot if you say "When I get into the cmos and bios settings it shows NO harddrive...even when trying the auto detect." ? You have to fix this first to go to the second step. Check your disk cables , did you connect anything parallel to this disk ? Is the disk detected on another motherboard ? After you go thru this , the rest is easy . A lot of friends explained how to get on ... good luck

I want all who are forwarding suggestions to know that I have tried or am attempting to follow each suggestion offered. I have rejected several but not because they were not informative. I can't seem to keep the question open so I can continue to receive suggestions if I accept all. Thank everyone for all suggestions and I will forward any info I incur while attempting to recover from this matter.
Thank you

You'll have to remove the HDD - find a friend/tech/compadre who will allow you to add the HDD temporarily to their system. Boot from the native HDD and you can repair the config.sys, read/backup the data, formulate a next step.

Try replacing the cables to your hard drive, and resetting the motherboard.

This is in the realm of a possible silly answer but I saw a very similar problem a few months ago and it turned out to be a problem with the memory. Try replacing with a known good stick. You might also try to boot from a 'live cd' - Linux or 'Ultimate Boot CD'. Good luck.

I had an experience with your similiar problem as along as Hard drive also fried. It is Hard drive/CD Rom controller on motherboard is fried. No way to repair it so I recommend you to replace the motherboard.

If it were a hard drive or a controller it wouldn't even try to boot into windows. it wouldn't be able to. this is a software issue.

he just needs a WinXP CD ROM that he doesn't have.

the thing that you need to post is this copy pre-sp2 or the later as this will affect your options for bringing up the recovery console.
Pre-sp2:
yes the recovery console can still be be brought up.what you have to do is creat a generic boot up disk. you will need to borrow a copy of in the box Xp Pro and NOT OEM INSTALLED to do this. you will need software that can burn & create iso images. copy what you need from the borrowed copy as an iso file then burn to a cd-rw edit as necessary with a little trial and error and don't forget to include the file that your missing--After hunting it down on the net..yes it can be found! you may have to inject it before or after the recovery console depending on the exent of the damage that you are facing and do not rule out that your system may be infected with maleware as the root promblem.
After Sp2:
if you did not read the recomedations and take the necessary actions before you had promblems save the time and effort and by a ligetament copy of xp pro. keep these two articales in mind win your try the above.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058/
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545
think out side the box