XP system file error, system 32\config files missing

my sister's computer recently just rebooted, and then came up as it was starting up, going through bios check etc, with this message *groan* - windows\system32\config\system

worst message i could've got. At 14, i have limited experience, and i'm still no as confident in detailed, dangerous problems like these. my dad is away on a business trip, so i can't get help from him, and i'd kinda like to prove to him i don't need his help for everything. but it's no about that. i just wana get past this problem (which i've seen before, and couldn't solve) and fix my sis's pc. AND not get into big trouble with my dad. REason - i was on her computer, trying to figure out how to install a new HDD on her pc that wasn't been seen by windows when the hdd got messed up. it wasn't in though, so it wasn't my fault, but yeah, i'm in deep $hit.


anyways

I've got a windows xp CD, which i can get the pc to boot from first. i'm just worried what's going to happen. will i loose all the data on the HDD? is there anyway JUST to recover the missing file, and leave all other files alone? my sister kinda needs most of the data on the pc, she's a senior in highschool about to college etc. scholarships, essays etc are on it.

help? PLEASE i need help. badly. i've got no ego right now, so i'm open to everything and anything.

one things to remember - i kinda need the info on the drive.

thanks

 

Boot with the XP CD and do the repair install. It will replace the Windows files but leave all of your data intact. That is, assuming you haven't formatted or re-partitioned that hard drive.

The problem though is that you'll have then re-apply all of the service packs and security fixes to your now fresh XP install. This never seems to go right and you end up with a screwed up system.

What I would do is -

1. Repair with the XP CD.
2. Once repaired, boot as normal and copy all of you sensitive data off the machine, to DVD, CD or wherever.
3. Nuke the system and do a fresh install.
4. Copy all your data back on.

I would also pull the new HDD you had put in there first, to make sure you're on the correct drive.

 

I think there's a repair option on the CD instead of install, but you better wait until someone more knowledable speaks up.

Edit: Inlawbiker beat me too it!

 

Yeah, that repair function of the installation allows you to just overwrite the Windows files only and it should leave all other data intact. So yeah, that is what you want to do.

 

The new HDD has nothing on it, never got it working yet. i am SURE that I'm on the right drive, the one with everything on it.

Her machine needed a clean install anyway, i was thinking i'd have to do that. i haven't formatted or partitioned the drive. it was working GREAT 2 hours ago...

thanks for the response!!

any other opinions?

 

one more thing

when i boot from CD, it gives me two options. System recovery, which needs a floppy, otherwise it goes into a load process and says "loading ..... w.e files" like, keyboard drivers, etc. is this what i want??? it hasn't given me a repair option yet. just a blue screen with Windows Setup at the top

 

You really NEED to talk to your dad. Don't screw around with this any further until you do. The LAST thing you want is to loose all of your sister's files. Leave well enough alone. You have already gotten into a mess and don't know how to get out of it without asking for help. But taking advice from strangers who THINK they know the situation, instead of your Dad who DOES KNOW is being very short sighted. Bite the bullet. Ask your dad for his help even if he is away on business. Call him. Don't screw this up any further.

Gary

 

he won't know how to do it exactly, but he may have a better idea than me. he's kinda in an area where he won't have any contact with us for a while... i'll wait for him to tell me whether to go for it or not

 

btw, i didn't screw up anything. i already said that

 

If you don't have a recovery floppy you can still install from scratch.

When it gets to the point of installing the OS it'll find the existing XP installation and ask if you want to re-install to that location.

Pay close attention to what it asks you. No reformatting or re-partitioning should happen.

If things get sketchy just abort the install and wait for help.

Greg.

 

thanks, yeah, exactly my feeling. if i feel i'm in shaky ground, get outta there.

i'm assuming that it is normal for the OS disc to take a few minutes to load up right at the beginning?? before i get any options it says windows loading....

just want to make sure before i go ahead.

oh the joys of computers..... lol. i love em, and hate em at the same time.

 

Correct, the first thing it does is load all the essential install files and drivers. It has to get them off the disk and uncompress them into a temporary spot. You'll see a progress bar and a bunch of obscure looking filenames flashing by.

I've been working with computers about 20 years now and after all this time... I still wonder if we'd be better off without them.

Greg.

 

thanks i'm not worried now that it's overisntalling everything "by mistake"

yeah, lol. i'm only 14, and been doing this for about 3 years... i wonder how many years i've cut my life span by.... lol. pc's can be a headache, and lifesavers at the same time.

 

From experience I can tell you, the very best way to learn something it to screw it up and then have to fix it.

Greg.

 

But maybe NOT when your older sister's files are at stake!

Gary

 

If after you get it back up and running and you think your sisters data is lost, you may want to try this.

http://www.nucleusdatarecovery.org/hard-drive-recovery.html

A friend did recently and got everything back.