Strange problem, please help, 25 dollars via Paypal reward

Hi, my laptop was working fine until one day i turned it on and I recieved the

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM corrupt error.

I searched around the internet for answers, and I found many of them, I proceeded to boot from the Windows XP Cd run the recovery console (it then asked me for my windows installation,etc..) but at the time I didn't have enough time to do the whole fixing process.

The next day when I try to run the recovery console it works but IT DOES NOT ASK ME FOR MY WINDOWS INSTALLATION! Therefore in the Recovery Console window all i see is the prompt: C:\> and as a result everytime I type in some command, like windows dir, it says ACCESS DENIED! This is very strange since yesterday I was able to access C:\Windows, since I was asked for which windows installation i wanted to access!

I wouldn't mind reinstalling windows, but I my greatest concern is losing my data. I tried to reinstall windows but the repair option is not available, the only options available are installing new Windows installations which means losing my data.

Please help, and I'd be willing to transfer $25 via Paypal to whoever can help me solve my problem.

 

ok, after rebooting my computer for the 15th time and trying to get recovery console to recognize my windows, this time a new screen came up. It came up after booting the windows xp cd, right before u get the screen that asks you to press R to run Recovery Console, and ENTER to run a Windows XP installation.

This screen says: Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices installed in your system, or you have choosen to manually specifify an adapter. ... and it then asks me for other options like: *To specifiy SCSI adaptors, CD Rom drivers..etc..

HELP!

 

MajorGeeks does not charge.

Hopefully someone will be able to help you with this issue soon

 

Maybe remove the hard drive and install it as a slave drive on another PC?
That way you MIGHT be able to save your data.
No guarantees, but worth a shot.

Then do a new complete install / re-install?

Bazza

 

You could try this . . . . . .

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showpost.php?p=906488&postcount=6

 

Thanks a lot, I'll keep that as my last resort right now in hope that someone else helps me out.

 

Sounds like you have a failing hard drive. IF you can access the recovery console again, you can try typng 'chkdsk /r' without the quote marks. It will take some time but it MAY (small chance) fix your errors. Otherwise you'll want to look at data recovery options. I'v always really likedSpinRite but there are lots of data recovery options out there.