File is missing or corrupt

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:07

Tried to turn on one of the rigs at work this morning and got the message as title.

refers to windows/system32/config/system

Consequently the pc won't boot. It says I can use the original XP disc and repair through the recovery console.

Can anyone tell me what I do? Doesn't actually tell me anything. I can get a list of available commands by typing help and thats about as far as I get.

Dangerous · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:12

XP repair install - Just boot of the XP CD and choose repair on the installation.

alastair79 · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:12

List of commands here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:14

Dangerous said:
XP repair install - Just boot of the XP CD and choose repair on the installation.

YUP - did that then it goes to command prompt..........

something daft already!! · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:35

I think you are confusing using the recovery console with repair the install. From the option do not select "R" for recovery console, do a repair install.

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 12:53

howiepoohs said:
I think you are confusing using the recovery console with repair the install. From the option do not select "R" for recovery console, do a repair install.

AAh - certainly sounds like I am confused.

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 13:02

howiepoohs said:
I think you are confusing using the recovery console with repair the install. From the option do not select "R" for recovery console, do a repair install.

It only gives me 3 options

1 install xp
2 repair USING recovery console
3 quit

It looks like there is no repair only facility so am still stuck guys - am at the command prompt - any ideas what I need to do to fix this?

Dangerous · 6 Jul 2007 at 13:02

doopydug said:
It only gives me 3 options

1 install xp
2 repair USING recovery console
3 quit

It looks like there is no repair only facility so am still stuck guys - am at the command prompt - any ideas what I need to do to fix this?

Install then choose repair

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 13:29

I must have a different copy of windows. Chose install but there was no option to choose repair. It is now re-installing windows. I should still have my old files and folders won't I?

Should be alright so long as it only overwrites the windows folders

something daft already!! · 6 Jul 2007 at 14:48

You should not lose any documents, but to be on the safe side, make sure you give yourself a new username as it *can* overwrite your old files if you use the same username as before. Dont forget you will still have the contents of "Program files" but the programs wont be asc with Windows, but you may be able to run some them from their .exe files.

doopydug · 6 Jul 2007 at 15:01

Thanks for all the help guys - got there in the end!