windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt! HELP!!!

[WarShy]

Whenver i start my computer, it gives me the mode options (normal, safe,etc). However whatever mode i select i get a windows\system32\config\system is corrupt or missing error! It tells me that i can attempt to fix it by putting in the startup disk and pressing r for repair. I've googled this topic in hopes of finding a solution, but none of them have worked for me. I believe it stems from the fact that I have from the start turned off my restore points. I don't know what to do! HELP!!!

dell says its a virus and wants me to pay money in order to fix it. hopefully this isn't the case and is fixable by my own hands...

[profdlp]

It's not likely to be a virus; save your money.

Head on over here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24057) and read through the suggestions there. :)

[WarShy]

It's not likely to be a virus; save your money.

Head on over here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24057) and read through the suggestions there. :)

Thanks god. I've tried out the suggestions on this page but none of them seem to work. When i try to reinstall windows, after the agreement, instead of getting a menu with a repair option, i get a partition menu with options such as enter=install and d=delete partition. So I'm still stuck...please help!:banghead:

[profdlp]

Thanks god...
I appreciate the compliment, but when I applied for the job they told me it had already been filled. :cool:


...I've tried out the suggestions on this page but none of them seem to work. When i try to reinstall windows, after the agreement, instead of getting a menu with a repair option, i get a partition menu with options such as enter=install and d=delete partition. So I'm still stuck...please help!:banghead:
Did you try the advice in Post #39? (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showpost.php?p=332637&postcount=39)

Also, when you're trying to do the Repair Install you should start out like you're going to do a clean install, then follow the advice here. (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/software/windows/xp/Repair_files/image006.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/software/windows/xp/Repair.htm&h=319&w=420&sz=15&tbnid=FfnBSc0lfGxm-M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&hl=en&start=1&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drepair%2Binstall%26svnum%3D30%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26newwindow%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DG) Skip past the part early on where it refers to using the Recovery Console to do a repair - they are two different things.

[WarShy]

I think post 39 has directions for people that use restore points. since i don't use them i don't have any. Also like i said before, instead of getting the repair page after the agreement page, i get a partition page. I really don't know what to do. It gives me enter=install option. Also I have 3 partitions for some reason. Someone help! Thanks!:werr:

[profdlp]

...Also like i said before, instead of getting the repair page after the agreement page, i get a partition page...
Does the "partition page" show a partition with an existing copy of WinXP on it?

If not, run TestDisk (http://www.cgsecurity.org/index.html?testdisk.html) and see if it can find a recoverable partition.