Confused Mum with missing or corrupt \windows\system32\config\system

[aussiemum26]

Hi everyone, I am a mum trying to fix the kids laptop on a sunday! I'm afraid you will have to use the KISS (keep it simple silly) philosophy for my benefit if you can.

Its an Asus A9RP that came with windows XP on it. So I have no disks.

It won't boot. F8 leaves a message "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt : \windows\system32\config\system

And yes, of course he has photos, school work, etc, that are irreplaceable and not backed up.

Given my limited knowledge would it be better to take it to a techie and get him to fix it? We really don't want to lose the photos if we don't have to.

Please, any advice? Thanks.

"Given my limited knowledge would it be better to take it to a techie
and get him to fix it?"

Without a doubt - yes!

Since you're a mum with kids you must, must learn to keep your kids safe
while they use the computer. The internet is a most dangerous
neighbourhood, and it's the neighbourhood you're kids are most likely to
be playing in when they're on the computer. You must also install
parental control software on any computer your children use.

You must also expand your knowledge of computers and, in particular, how
to keep a computer in good running order, unless you fancy running a tab
with Mr. Techie.

This explains the problem with the computer:

"How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

aussiemum26 wrote:
> Hi everyone, I am a mum trying to fix the kids laptop on a sunday! I'm
> afraid you will have to use the KISS (keep it simple silly) philosophy
> for my benefit if you can.
>
> Its an Asus A9RP that came with windows XP on it. So I have no disks.
>
> It won't boot. F8 leaves a message "Windows could not start because
> the following file is missing or corrupt :
> \windows\system32\config\system
>
> And yes, of course he has photos, school work, etc, that are
> irreplaceable and not backed up.
>
> Given my limited knowledge would it be better to take it to a techie
> and get him to fix it? We really don't want to lose the photos if we
> don't have to.
>
> Please, any advice? Thanks.
>
>

[aussiemum26]

Good news is he did back up his photos. Everything else is expendable. So far hints have said about OEM and hives?!?!?

"aussiemum26" <aussiemum26.3i84rc@DoNotSpam.com> wrote in message
news:aussiemum26.3i84rc@DoNotSpam.com...

Hi everyone, I am a mum trying to fix the kids laptop on a sunday! I'm
afraid you will have to use the KISS (keep it simple silly) philosophy
for my benefit if you can.

Its an Asus A9RP that came with windows XP on it. So I have no disks.

It won't boot. F8 leaves a message "Windows could not start because
the following file is missing or corrupt :
\windows\system32\config\system

And yes, of course he has photos, school work, etc, that are
irreplaceable and not backed up.

Given my limited knowledge would it be better to take it to a techie
and get him to fix it? We really don't want to lose the photos if we
don't have to.

Please, any advice? Thanks.


--
aussiemum26
================================================
Gidday,

Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands
http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xp

This will procedure will do the trick, just follow the exact steps as
outlined in the article. I have used this procedure several times. It
appears to work like magic but of course you are simply rebuilding the boot
process. It sounds like it is something you could do. The whole procedure
could take approx 1 hour. It depends on how big the hard drive is. There is
no need for a re-install so you can skip that step he talks about on page 1.

The actual procedure starts on page 2 of the article, scroll down to
'Proceeding With the Repair Functions'. It shows you fully with diagrams
each step of the way. There is no data loss using this procedure. This
procedure gets it done with less trouble and time than the steps outlined in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

Of course if you do not feel comfortable I would contact a local techie and
get them to do it.




--
Regards,
Touch Base
Report back on the results, good or bad so others may benefit

"There's an old story about the person who wished his computer were as easy
to use as his telephone. That wish has come true, since I no longer know
how to use my telephone."
(Bjarne Stroustrup)

On Sun, 2 Nov 2008 07:23:19 +0530, aussiemum26
<aussiemum26.3i87jc@DoNotSpam.com> wrote:

>
>Good news is he did back up his photos. Everything else is expendable.
>So far hints have said about OEM and hives?!?!?

So long as he didn`t back up to the hard drive or partition .

aussiemum26 wrote:
> Hi everyone, I am a mum trying to fix the kids laptop on a sunday! I'm
> afraid you will have to use the KISS (keep it simple silly) philosophy
> for my benefit if you can.
>
> Its an Asus A9RP that came with windows XP on it. So I have no disks.
>
> It won't boot. F8 leaves a message "Windows could not start because
> the following file is missing or corrupt :
> \windows\system32\config\system
>
> And yes, of course he has photos, school work, etc, that are
> irreplaceable and not backed up.
>
> Given my limited knowledge would it be better to take it to a techie
> and get him to fix it? We really don't want to lose the photos if we
> don't have to.
>
> Please, any advice? Thanks.
>
>


How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

Once you've recovered, you might want to look here, as well:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;822705


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot