c:\minint\system32\config\system. is missing???

Well hi...we are new to this and not wizz kids when it comes to the insides of a pc. My partners laptop was working fine until we downloaded limewire pro. Since then it won't boot up. When the lap top is turned on it says Windows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt: c:\minint\system32\config\system.
So I had a look around and tried LOADS of suggestions, we tried to copy the file and replace it, only problem was the comp couldnt find the file to begin with!:confused But i now have no idea where to find it. we have also run the chkdsk /r option but it says AUTOCHK.EXE could not be located in the startup directory or the CDROM drive.
We ideally need to get back into the system to get all the current data off as we haven't done a back up. So would like to get into xp with out reinstalling or formatting the hard drive.

Has any one got any ideas that they could talk us through to just get us into the system please?

 

Ok well i now have a new error msg come up its
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll

When i put the WXP home disk in the cdrom drive it wont boot, i now cant get the disk to boot so i cant even get to the recovery console to try chkdsk? ANy ideas?

 

Can you access your BIOS or Boot menu?
When you first power on your computer you should see a "splash screen" that will indicate the proper keyboard keys to use to access these.
In some computers they have a seperate "Boot menu"; in others the boot sequence is accessed through the BIOS.

Make certain the computer is set to boot to the CDrom first.
When the computer boots to the XP CD do a repair install.
This will rebuild your Windows XP Operating System without changing any other files or programs.

Instructions for doing a repair install of XP can be found :
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
A more concise, but not as informative, XP repair guide is available through Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx

 

hi thanks for replying, i changed the boot to cdrom, finally got into the setup and it came up with an error, asking me to reboot the laptop. Which i have now done. But once the computor goes through the motions i now getthe original error msg bk. Except it doesnt say c:\ it just says \minint\system32\config\system. Iv had a look at the links too and when i go to the install it doesnt give me the option to repair.

Oh its so frustrating! Any other ideas please :cry

 

Will it allow you to boot into "Safe Mode"?

Turn the computer on.
Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.

Once in Safe mode, click the Start Button; Click the Run option; type "sfc /scannow" (without the "") and hit enter.
This is the System Files Checker. It will check to see if any files necessary to run Windows are missing or corrupted. It will first see if your computer has a cache of these files (some manufacturers place copies of these files on your hard drive). If your computer doesn't have such a cache it will prompt you to insert the XP CD into its drive and take the files from there.
Be aware that if you have updated you Windows files using Automatic Updates, these updates will have to be done over.

 

My favorite suggestion is ALWAYS Linux.
Go to Knoppix and download the ISO. Use any ISO burning program to burn it to CD. Boot to the CD. After it loads, you should be able to get to your files. Back them all up. After they are backed up, do a clean install.
Need any more help, just post. I will help you.
Zack

 

Hi ya joelsz, iv tried to boot into safe mode, but it just takes me to the boot device screen that allows me to choose to boot from the CDROM, FLOPPY DRIVE, HARD DISK OR LAN Boot?

I cant seem to boot to anything else? and iv tried this without the disk in too. Is i press F12 it takes me to the windows recovery or restore page. If i try to restore windows it displays a runtime error 53.

zDawg32, if i download Knoppix will it delete anything? After reading the disclaimer that you have to agree to it kind of makes you think that there is a high risk that something will go wrong? Is this the case? Is there a high chance of anything happening?

Thank you again
Louise

 

The only thing that will happen is if you install it. You just boot to it, and it runs without installing anything. After you are all booted up and in knoppix, please post.
Zack