WindowsXP Service Pack 3: Has completely crashed my system

I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows XP
laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it said I
needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have had
major problems and yesterday finally received the following error message:
c0000218 registry file failure
The registry cannot load hive file:
\systemroot\system32\config\system
or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Beginning dump of physical memory
physical memory dump complete
contact system administrator or technical support group for further assistance


I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this question on
another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please help!!

"esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
>I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows XP
> laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
> maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it said I
> needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have had
> major problems and yesterday finally received the following error message:
> c0000218 registry file failure
> The registry cannot load hive file:
> \systemroot\system32\config\system
> or its log or alternate.
> It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
>
> Beginning dump of physical memory
> physical memory dump complete
> contact system administrator or technical support group for further assistance
>
>
> I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this question on
> another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home
> Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
> rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please help!!


Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have to hit the
F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the laptop to see
how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf

Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry issue.

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center Edition
laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an actual
installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair installation on
an XP MCE system.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.

It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
prompts again:
C:\WINDOWS>

I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is an
OEM version. Please advise...

Thank you!


"Nepatsfan" wrote:

> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
> >I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows XP
> > laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
> > maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it said I
> > needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have had
> > major problems and yesterday finally received the following error message:
> > c0000218 registry file failure
> > The registry cannot load hive file:
> > \systemroot\system32\config\system
> > or its log or alternate.
> > It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
> >
> > Beginning dump of physical memory
> > physical memory dump complete
> > contact system administrator or technical support group for further assistance
> >
> >
> > I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this question on
> > another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home
> > Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
> > rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please help!!
>
>
> Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have to hit the
> F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the laptop to see
> how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.
>
> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf
>
> Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry issue.
>
> How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
>
> You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center Edition
> laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an actual
> installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair installation on
> an XP MCE system.
>
> Good luck
>
> Nepatsfan
>
>
>

"esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
> OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
> Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
>
> It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
> prompts again:
> C:\WINDOWS>

So, you've established that the password is blank: if you see that prompt,
you *are in the recovery console*. It isn't exactly an overly friendly
interface.

From here, you can follow the directions.

HTH
-pk


>
> I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is
> an
> OEM version. Please advise...
>
> Thank you!
>
>
> "Nepatsfan" wrote:
>
>> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
>> >I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows
>> >XP
>> > laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
>> > maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it
>> > said I
>> > needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have
>> > had
>> > major problems and yesterday finally received the following error
>> > message:
>> > c0000218 registry file failure
>> > The registry cannot load hive file:
>> > \systemroot\system32\config\system
>> > or its log or alternate.
>> > It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
>> >
>> > Beginning dump of physical memory
>> > physical memory dump complete
>> > contact system administrator or technical support group for further
>> > assistance
>> >
>> >
>> > I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this
>> > question on
>> > another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP
>> > Home
>> > Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
>> > rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please
>> > help!!
>>
>>
>> Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have to
>> hit the
>> F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the laptop to
>> see
>> how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.
>>
>> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf
>>
>> Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry issue.
>>
>> How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
>> starting
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
>>
>> You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center
>> Edition
>> laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an actual
>> installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair
>> installation on
>> an XP MCE system.
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Nepatsfan
>>
>>
>>

Answered inline.

"esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
> OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
> Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
>
> It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
> prompts again:
> C:\WINDOWS>
>
> I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is an
> OEM version. Please advise...
>
> Thank you!

In light of that warning, you might not want to run the procedure outlined in
that MS article. Sorry about that. The few times I've taken those steps it's
been on systems running an upgrade version of XP.

I'm guessing that you didn't get a Media Center Edition installation CD with
your daughter's laptop. My next suggestion would have been to run a repair
installation but for that you'd need the correct CD.

If the only installation option Dell supplied with this laptop is a restore
process, you would lose any files that are stored on the computer. The restore
process takes the computer back to the state it was in when it left the factory.
Any programs installed since then would have to be reinstalled. If you have
important files on the laptop that haven't been backed up they can be retrieved.
The simplest method would be to take the hard drive out and connect it to
another computer. Dealing with a laptop complicates the problem. An alternative
is to boot the laptop with a Linux live CD and see if you can burn the files to
CD. Here are a couple of options.

Ubuntu Live CD
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

Knoppix
http://www.knoppix.org/

Nepatsfan

>
>
> "Nepatsfan" wrote:
>
>> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
>> >I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows XP
>> > laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
>> > maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it said
>> > I
>> > needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have had
>> > major problems and yesterday finally received the following error message:
>> > c0000218 registry file failure
>> > The registry cannot load hive file:
>> > \systemroot\system32\config\system
>> > or its log or alternate.
>> > It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
>> >
>> > Beginning dump of physical memory
>> > physical memory dump complete
>> > contact system administrator or technical support group for further
>> > assistance
>> >
>> >
>> > I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this question on
>> > another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP
>> > Home
>> > Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
>> > rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please help!!
>>
>>
>> Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have to hit
>> the
>> F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the laptop to see
>> how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.
>>
>> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf
>>
>> Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry issue.
>>
>> How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
>> starting
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
>>
>> You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center Edition
>> laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an actual
>> installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair installation
>> on
>> an XP MCE system.
>>
>> Good luck
>>
>> Nepatsfan
>>
>>
>>

Is it too late for this ?

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

--

TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org
======================================
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco


"Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
news:uMHh8e3tIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
| Answered inline.
|
| "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
| news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
| > OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
| > Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
| >
| > It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
| > prompts again:
| > C:\WINDOWS>
| >
| > I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is an
| > OEM version. Please advise...
| >
| > Thank you!
|
| In light of that warning, you might not want to run the procedure outlined in
| that MS article. Sorry about that. The few times I've taken those steps it's
| been on systems running an upgrade version of XP.
|
| I'm guessing that you didn't get a Media Center Edition installation CD with
| your daughter's laptop. My next suggestion would have been to run a repair
| installation but for that you'd need the correct CD.
|
| If the only installation option Dell supplied with this laptop is a restore
| process, you would lose any files that are stored on the computer. The restore
| process takes the computer back to the state it was in when it left the factory.
| Any programs installed since then would have to be reinstalled. If you have
| important files on the laptop that haven't been backed up they can be retrieved.
| The simplest method would be to take the hard drive out and connect it to
| another computer. Dealing with a laptop complicates the problem. An alternative
| is to boot the laptop with a Linux live CD and see if you can burn the files to
| CD. Here are a couple of options.
|
| Ubuntu Live CD
| https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD
|
| Knoppix
| http://www.knoppix.org/
|
| Nepatsfan
|
| >
| >
| > "Nepatsfan" wrote:
| >
| >> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
| >> news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
| >> >I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition Windows XP
| >> > laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
| >> > maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and it said
| >> > I
| >> > needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I have had
| >> > major problems and yesterday finally received the following error message:
| >> > c0000218 registry file failure
| >> > The registry cannot load hive file:
| >> > \systemroot\system32\config\system
| >> > or its log or alternate.
| >> > It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
| >> >
| >> > Beginning dump of physical memory
| >> > physical memory dump complete
| >> > contact system administrator or technical support group for further
| >> > assistance
| >> >
| >> >
| >> > I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this question on
| >> > another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP
| >> > Home
| >> > Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but when
| >> > rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please help!!
| >>
| >>
| >> Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have to hit
| >> the
| >> F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the laptop to see
| >> how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.
| >>
| >> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf
| >>
| >> Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry issue.
| >>
| >> How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
| >> starting
| >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
| >>
| >> You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center Edition
| >> laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an actual
| >> installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair installation
| >> on
| >> an XP MCE system.
| >>
| >> Good luck
| >>
| >> Nepatsfan
| >>
| >>
| >>
|
|
|

"Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
news:uMHh8e3tIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Answered inline.
>
> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
>> OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
>> Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
>>
>> It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
>> prompts again:
>> C:\WINDOWS>
>>
>> I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is
>> an
>> OEM version. Please advise...
>>
>> Thank you!
>
> In light of that warning, you might not want to run the procedure outlined
> in that MS article. Sorry about that. The few times I've taken those steps
> it's been on systems running an upgrade version of XP.

All it takes is the bootable install CD, just not a "system recovery" disk,
as those typically don't have the Recovery Console.

> I'm guessing that you didn't get a Media Center Edition installation CD
> with your daughter's laptop. My next suggestion would have been to run a
> repair installation but for that you'd need the correct CD.

Sorry, but if you see the C:\WINDOWS prompt after booting from the CD,
specifying the recovery console and entering the (blank) password, the
correct CD is at hand and the process should most definitely work.

The registry is not stored in a different place for OEM versions. You just
need access to the drive.

The OP is actually in the Recovery Console and ready to go, and just doesn't
recognise it. Which is hardly surprising, since the RC does not exactly
have a friendly UI.

> If the only installation option Dell supplied with this laptop is a
> restore process,

Yes, this is most likely the point of the "warning". It can't work with
System Recovery disks because they can't boot to anything but the reinstall.
The Recovery Console is not available. If you keep pressing the enter key,
you're likely to wipe the system.

I've gotten into the Recovery Console using any bootable XP disk at hand
regardless of the installed XP edition, Home or Pro disks on Pro or Home
installations. And yes, as you note, you can use Ubuntu Live CDs to do
this as well.


HTH
-pk


<snippage>

"TaurArian" <taurarianREMOVECAPS@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:OvLeAg%23tIHA.672@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Is it too late for this ?
>
> How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

I'm not at all sure that that would restore the damaged registry. The
procedures to copy the backup hives and run System Restore would likely
still be required.

HTH
-pk

>
> --
>
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008 - Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
> ======================================
> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> Computer Maintenance: Acronis / Diskeeper / Paragon / Raxco
>
>
> "Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
> news:uMHh8e3tIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> | Answered inline.
> |
> | "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> | news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
> | > OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
> | > Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
> | >
> | > It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
> | > prompts again:
> | > C:\WINDOWS>
> | >
> | > I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP
> is an
> | > OEM version. Please advise...
> | >
> | > Thank you!
> |
> | In light of that warning, you might not want to run the procedure
> outlined in
> | that MS article. Sorry about that. The few times I've taken those steps
> it's
> | been on systems running an upgrade version of XP.
> |
> | I'm guessing that you didn't get a Media Center Edition installation CD
> with
> | your daughter's laptop. My next suggestion would have been to run a
> repair
> | installation but for that you'd need the correct CD.
> |
> | If the only installation option Dell supplied with this laptop is a
> restore
> | process, you would lose any files that are stored on the computer. The
> restore
> | process takes the computer back to the state it was in when it left the
> factory.
> | Any programs installed since then would have to be reinstalled. If you
> have
> | important files on the laptop that haven't been backed up they can be
> retrieved.
> | The simplest method would be to take the hard drive out and connect it
> to
> | another computer. Dealing with a laptop complicates the problem. An
> alternative
> | is to boot the laptop with a Linux live CD and see if you can burn the
> files to
> | CD. Here are a couple of options.
> |
> | Ubuntu Live CD
> | https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD
> |
> | Knoppix
> | http://www.knoppix.org/
> |
> | Nepatsfan
> |
> | >
> | >
> | > "Nepatsfan" wrote:
> | >
> | >> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> | >> news:BC5D0B0A-B9E3-4785-8F63-83CE0835C844@microsoft.com...
> | >> >I have a two year old Dell Inspiron E1505 Media Center Edition
> Windows XP
> | >> > laptop. My daughter uses it for school, so I try to stay current on
> | >> > maintenance issues. A couple of days ago, I ran Windows Update, and
> it said
> | >> > I
> | >> > needed the Service Pack 3, so I downloaded it. Ever since then, I
> have had
> | >> > major problems and yesterday finally received the following error
> message:
> | >> > c0000218 registry file failure
> | >> > The registry cannot load hive file:
> | >> > \systemroot\system32\config\system
> | >> > or its log or alternate.
> | >> > It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.
> | >> >
> | >> > Beginning dump of physical memory
> | >> > physical memory dump complete
> | >> > contact system administrator or technical support group for further
> | >> > assistance
> | >> >
> | >> >
> | >> > I am now unable to reboot my laptop at all, and am sending this
> question on
> | >> > another computer. I do have the "Reinstallation CD Microsoft
> Windows XP
> | >> > Home
> | >> > Edition Including Service Pack 2" CD that came with my laptop, but
> when
> | >> > rebooting with the CD in place, it is not even recognized. Please
> help!!
> | >>
> | >>
> | >> Did you configure the laptop to boot from the CD? I believe you have
> to hit
> | >> the
> | >> F2 key while the computer is starting. Check the manual for the
> laptop to see
> | >> how this is done. You can download the manual from this web site.
> | >>
> | >>
> http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...m/MD4024MR.pdf
> | >>
> | >> Here's an article from Microsoft on how to deal with the registry
> issue.
> | >>
> | >> How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP
> from
> | >> starting
> | >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
> | >>
> | >> You should be able to run the Recovery Console on the Media Center
> Edition
> | >> laptop with your XP Home Edition CD. Be careful not to start an
> actual
> | >> installation. The Home Edition CD cannot be used to run a repair
> installation
> | >> on
> | >> an XP MCE system.
> | >>
> | >> Good luck
> | >>
> | >> Nepatsfan
> | >>
> | >>
> | >>
> |
> |
> |
>
>

"Patrick Keenan" <test@dev.null> wrote in message
news:etb3S9UuIHA.4376@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> "Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
> news:uMHh8e3tIHA.2292@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Answered inline.
>>
>> "esgwat" <esgwat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:F133AE0B-2655-41B7-B708-808CFB26C1FA@microsoft.com...
>>> OK, I figured out how to boot from the CD, and am now at the Microsoft
>>> Windows XP(TM) Recovery Console.
>>>
>>> It is asking for an administrator password. When I just hit enter, it
>>> prompts again:
>>> C:\WINDOWS>
>>>
>>> I read in the manual that this process does not work if the Windows XP is an
>>> OEM version. Please advise...
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>
>> In light of that warning, you might not want to run the procedure outlined in
>> that MS article. Sorry about that. The few times I've taken those steps it's
>> been on systems running an upgrade version of XP.
>
> All it takes is the bootable install CD, just not a "system recovery" disk, as
> those typically don't have the Recovery Console.
>
>> I'm guessing that you didn't get a Media Center Edition installation CD with
>> your daughter's laptop. My next suggestion would have been to run a repair
>> installation but for that you'd need the correct CD.
>
> Sorry, but if you see the C:\WINDOWS prompt after booting from the CD,
> specifying the recovery console and entering the (blank) password, the
> correct CD is at hand and the process should most definitely work.


What are you basing this last statement on? Have you successfully restored a
registry on an OEM installation using this procedure? The MS article warns that
you may not be able to complete the procedure due to the system hive on OEM
installations.

After the OP reminded my of the warning contained in the Microsoft article, I
did a Google search to see if I could find any references to ignoring the
warning and successfully restoring the registry on an OEM installation of XP.
All I could find were newsgroup posts that said it didn't work or advice to
ignore the warning if running the procedure was an option of last resort.


>
> The registry is not stored in a different place for OEM versions. You just
> need access to the drive.
>
> The OP is actually in the Recovery Console and ready to go, and just doesn't
> recognise it. Which is hardly surprising, since the RC does not exactly have
> a friendly UI.
>

We're all agreed on that fact. The OP was able to use the Windows HE CD to boot
into the Recovery Console even though the laptop in question is running XP Media
Center Edition. That's not the problem here.

>> If the only installation option Dell supplied with this laptop is a restore
>> process,
>
> Yes, this is most likely the point of the "warning". It can't work with
> System Recovery disks because they can't boot to anything but the reinstall.
> The Recovery Console is not available. If you keep pressing the enter key,
> you're likely to wipe the system.

The warning in the Microsoft article has nothing to do with what type of CD is
used to start the Recovery Console.

>
> I've gotten into the Recovery Console using any bootable XP disk at hand
> regardless of the installed XP edition, Home or Pro disks on Pro or Home
> installations. And yes, as you note, you can use Ubuntu Live CDs to do
> this as well.
>
>
> HTH
> -pk
>
>
> <snippage>
>

The bottom line is that I shouldn't have offered that Microsoft article as a
solution for the OP's problem due to the warning about running the procedure on
an OEM installation. Windows Media Center is only available as an OEM version.
My mistake.

That said, the situation is compounded by the fact that the OP probably didn't
get an actual XP MCE installation CD from Dell. That rules out a repair
installation. My gut feeling is that unless the OP can obtain that CD, the only
solution will be to try to recover any important files and run the Dell Restore
procedure which will wipe out the current installation and take the laptop back
to the state it was in when it left the factory.

Nepatsfan