computer problem HELP needed

[HighRoller]

Computer was running really really slow with all processing late last night.
I had to do a hard shut down, I got mad due to being hard to do a regular restart.


I tried to restart it a minute or two later. This is a desktop computer, emachine, I know not top quality, it's just one of my other computers.

When you try to restart it, which I have tried 4 or 5 different times
it reads:

windows can't start
file missing or corrupt

\windows\system32\config\system


it's a black screen and you hit the r for repair it just does it all over again
it wants the original c/d which I had probably 18 months ago, not sure where that is right not.

I am not super technical when it comes to pulling the computer apart etc.

What do I do to get this thing running again, maybe I'll save a few of the files when I get it back up.

This is windows xp and 1 of the profiles went corrupt about 3 months ago and almost did again a few days ago.


Besides shoot myself and throw it in the garbage, can I get some helpful advice?

[AaronM]

Spend another 40 bucks and buy a new eMachine.

[WarChild]

Try this while in the Recovery Console:

1. Insert and boot from your Windows XP CD.
2. After the CD is loaded yoou will receive the following on screen:

A. To setup Windows XP, press Enter.
B. To repair Windows XP installation using recovery console, press R.

3. Choose the option, "To repair the Windows XP installation using recovery console", press R.

4. Press the number that corresponds to the correct location for the installation of Windows you want to repair.

5. If an Administrator Password have been established, you will be prompted to type it in. If no Administrator Password exists, just press ENTER.
6. At the prompt type the following and press Enter after each line:

cd C:\windows\system32\config
ren system system.bad
copy C:\windows\repair\system

6. Remove the Installation CD and type exit to restart the computer.

[HighRoller]

Ok thanks
and if I was dumb enough to not know where I placed the original xp cd 18 months ago?


is there something I can download off another site and burn to a c/d?
a certain file?

[lot]

Eather try to repair windows, or reinstell it at all but before that save all your data on the other disk

[HighRoller]

I am asking if their is a file I can download burn to cd on this computer
transfer it over to the broken computer
and start from there.


assuming I can't find that original cd for xp

[StuBradley]

This sounds to me like a hardware problem more than a software (Windows) issue. You should have someone take a look at it for you.

[LittleSassy]

maybe you need to reformat...

[WarChild]

I am asking if their is a file I can download burn to cd on this computer
transfer it over to the broken computer
and start from there.


assuming I can't find that original cd for xp

No you need an XP cd.

[Antonio]

try rebooting in safe mode

if that doesn't work find a XP cd from a friend and do the recovery thing

if that doesn't work either you can install XP IN A DIFFERENT FOLDER in order to keep all your files etc - I had to that 2 or 3 times but then some programs will NOT work

or you can mount the hard drive on another PC if this one's dead and copy whatever you need