Windows file missing, can't reboot

Hello all,

First time here so hi to everyone and hope I can get some help.

Last night did an Ad Aware scan and it came back with 3 files, one of which mention, what I think, was a trojan virus. I was in a bit of a rush so simply asked it to fix the errors and I had to reboot computer for the files to be completely deleted and finished.

After doing this and restarting Windows, I now find that I cannot restart Windows at all and I get an error message saying that

Windows could nhot start because the folloiwng file is missinjg or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-Rom. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

Now, from memory I don't have the set up rom, or if I do it's stored at my Dad's and I'm living abroad, also I have tried using other Windows rebootable CDs but no such luck it just keeps going back to the same message. I have changed the bios so that a CD is bootable ahead of the hard drive but this isn't working either.

How can I repair this? Did Ad Aware remove this file thinking it was a threat?

Please please please help!

My system is an Acer Aspire 5610 and I was using WIndows XP.

Thanks so much.

 

Press F8 at bootup and see if last known Good Configuration works.

It sounds like AdAware removed a critical part of your windows install.

If I had a program that did that, after I got it working again, I'd uninstall the program.

If you are sure that the CDs you tried are bootable and the computer refuses to boot from them, then you chance at repairing is looking pretty bleak.

 

Don't panic just yet. What are these bootable CDs that you have available?
Please describe what happens when you attempt to boot from one of these bootable CDs.

Try the following ...
Windows Advanced Options Menu
Getting into Windows Safe Mode
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

Choose "Last known good configuration", and press the Enter key. The computer will attempt to load Windows.
If Windows does not start, try the same thing again .... and continue trying for 10 times, before you rule that option out as a means of getting your OS up and running again, normally.
Why 10 times? Based on past experience, a successful result is sometimes achieved after several consecutive failed attempts.

You said: "Did Ad Aware remove this file thinking it was a threat?"
No, not likely. It is much more likely that there is some file corruption on the hard drive and that by using a bootable CD (yes, you will be able to create a suitable one including the XP Recovery Console) and running chkdsk /p or chkdsk /r, fix the problem.