lock-pop!

ALright. So the laptop that i use for work everyday just fucked me over and started saying this ------ error message during the start up... ---- no laptop for me, no work, not able to make any ------ money. Its a cheap *** pre loaded dell from e bay, i dont have an xp cd,

here is the error message


Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

What the ---- do i do now

Wank.a.lot

oh you fucked it now.
i had the same ---- happen to my laptop. i have no idea what i did, but google major geeks. they helped me.

Tom-Guy

One of your (4) Windows hive files is damaged/missing. It happens sometimes, and unless you backed them up - you didn't, or else you'd know what they are - your install of XP is lost forever. FYI the hive files contain *every* setting for your system, software installed on it, security, users and their preferences, etc. Basically the database XP refers to to figure out wtf to do.

Best thing for you to do is pull the HD and copy all your files off of it. onto another computer. Then, wipe the drive and instal a fresh copy of XP over it.One of your hive files is damaged. Unless you backed them up - you didn't - it requires a reinstall.

southwest2118

how dose one go about backing up these files in case

lock-pop!

----. now i feel like a ------ retard......


it also tells me to put in a windows xp setup disc which i dont have.....

t_cel_t

well pirate bay is your friend, get a copy of xp that is an image file and have it repair or
if that doest work you can dual boot xp
get a program called g part, expand your partition
install the new xp
use easybcd to delete old non working version of xp
use g part again and shrink your partition back down

doing it that way you dont lose any of your files

J-MAN

take the given advice or you can a;ways go with option 2..your fucked

Jorsher

Torrent/burn a WinXP disc.

If it doesn't work.

Reinstall.

Or google whatever file is missing.

BoostForLife

Download XP of the same version that you have installed right now. (Home/Pro)
Boot from cd
First screen do not use the recovery repair, hit enter instead
Second screen i think is where you press the F8 button
Thirdly is where the repair screen is going to be (Make sure that you also have a CD key on the back, you'll need one to finish repair)
(If all above is done correctly, you will reinstall just the windows part and all programs/files/documents will stay and will not be affected.)


Here's what I found online after writings what's above, I was pretty close.


# Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.
# When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
# Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.

To setup Windows XP now and Repair Install , press ENTER. do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you Do Not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".
# Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.
# Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair. If Repair is not one of the options, END setup.
# Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.