Hi

I decided to defragment my computer this morning because of low disk space. On the start up of computer i get the following message:

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

"WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM".

I have had this problem before, but just used the recovery disk supplied the computer manufacturer. This time i have valuable information that i do not want to loose.

Also i have been to many sites which say that you need the Windows XP setup disk to repair it. I do not have this disk as the manufacturer, time, only gave me a unofficial recovery disk which gives me two options. Restore, and Repair boot sectors. I have tried the "Repair Boot sectors" option and no luck and i do not want to return the computer back to its factory settings.

Thanks

You need to get a Windows XP from someone and follow these instructions:
Windows could not start because the following files is missing or corrupt
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2. At the first R=Repair option, press the R key
3. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.
Typically this will be #1
4. Enter in the administrator password when requested
5. cd \windows\system32\config
6. Depending on which section was corrupted:
ren software software.bad or ren system system.bad
7. Depending on which section was corrupted
copy \windows\repair\system
copy \windows\repair\software
8. Take out the CD ROM and type exit

If that doesn't work or you can't get into the repair console then With the XP disk you choose to install Windows XP and when you choose to install over the current XP installation you will be given the option to repair the current Windows installation and you won't lose all of your data.

The quickest way to recover to an operating stste would be to perform a
Repair Installation: not to use recovery console to attempt to fix your
corrupted system.

1. Go to BIOS and make sure booting from CD is the first boot option.
2. If your computer does not support booting from the CD, check your OEM or
Motherboard makers web site for updated BIOS.
3. Perform a Repair Install by following the step by step below.
Insert the Windows setup CD in your Optical Drive and
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. Do not use recovery console.

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.

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.

Do not immediately activate over the internet when asked, enable the XP
firewall before connecting to the internet. You can activate after the
firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click the
connection you use, Properties, and there is a check box on the advanced
page.