xp will not boot

Ok damn it, I am totally frustrated with my sons computer, it will not boot!
It is giving an error message " file is missing or corrupt"
"\windows\system32\config\system"
I have tried starting in safe mode, didn't work
I have tried recovery mode, didn't work
Have tried repair using os cd, didn't work
So I searched forums for similar problems and tried the various solutions offered, such as the link to microsoft for registry recovery but I typed the second line and got a message "could not copy"
computer is 18 months old
please help me before I put an axe thru the damn thing
:cry

 

Desktop or laptop?
What Operating System and Service Pack?

 

Greetings, malron5.

Since this is XP and you have an OS disk, have you tried a non-destructive rebuild? If not, a good walkthrough is located here.

 

Its a desk top puter , a generic brand and its xp home edition, I think sp2.

Timw, the link you are referring to is the one I tried, I typed the first line and pressed enter, no problem, I typed the second line and pressed enter and got error message"could not copy" I checked my spelling and spacing and it was fine.

Caliban I used your link and was following the destructions and all was fine til about screen 7 where you highlight partition and press r for repair, only thing is,my version didn't give me option for repair, only enter to set up windows or c to create a partition or d to delete partition, go figure.

how would I download and install Linux if puter won't start?

 

Strange - I've never seen that before...

You would run run the Linux OS as a live environment (in other words, don't install it - just run it from the optical drive).

Here's how:

1. Download the .iso file from a Linux distribution - Mint, Puppy and Ubuntu are all nice and easy.

2. Burn that file as an image to a CD/DVD (ImgBurn is a good .iso burning software if you don't already have one). A quick tutorial for the image burning process is located here.

3. Boot to that disk and run the OS. You should then be able to mount the drive containing any files you wish to salvage and copy them to a flash drive.

There are also other program images that you could burn and boot to that might help, such as TestDisk, Ultimate Boot CD, etc.

 

ok, have downloaded linux and booted puter with it.
going to transfer wanted files to terrabyte.
then what? do I format hard drive and then reinstall xp and what about linux do I leave it on for now or what?
:foolish

 

Good morning.

Affirmative - after you've transferred your data, then boot to your XP disk, delete and create any partitions you wish to use, format as NTFS and install XP.

If later you decide to install Linux you could create a dual-boot system, but this should only be done after a good Windows installation.

 

sorry took so long to get back
have transferred data
I only have 1 partition, do I delete that one before format, and, or do I create a new partition after I delete the original one? or is the new partition automatically created when I install xp, soory about my ignorance, my profile picture says it all.

Just on a interesting note , you should see my 2 kids, they have no idea what to do with themselves without a computer, I'm not letting them use mine, no way!
ha ha

 

Hi.

Boot to the XP disk, delete the C: partition, create the partition (if you're only going to use one partition, then let Windows allocate the full drive size to that partition), format the partition as NTFS (use the 'full' option - takes longer, but it's worth the effort), and then install the OS.

Tell the kids they're just going to have to be patient.

 

all done, puter is working fine, had to reinstall drivers though and reactivate mcafee, kids will be happy when they get home from school, dad will be a hero, hmmm wonder how I can milk this.
thanks for all your help, particuarly Caliban

 

Good job! Everybody deserves to be a hero once in a while.

Glad you're getting things sorted, and thanks for the feedback. :major