boot-up problem, missing file or corrupt

[wooosh]

i have recently downloaded an update from microsoft which for some reason or other has damaged a file or deleted it. my pc will no longer boot up and gives me a message saying "windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system"

it has told me to put the original cd rom in and using the setup ,to repair this.
as i had this ops installed by a friend, i dont have a disk. i have downloaded a few different disks which have xp on them but cannot start these as they obviously have to be run via windows i.e. they are upgrade disks rather than setup disks.

is there a way for me to repair this file without having to go back and pay for this to be done ???

any help would be greatly appreciated

i believe i am running windows xp pro not home.

[macko72]

http://www.bootdisk.com/

[Mesaeus]

whoosh, is that a legal copy of Windows ? It sounds like your friend installed a pirate copy. If he did install a legal version he should be able to provide you with the installation cd.

[wooosh]

Originally Posted by macko72 http://www.bootdisk.com/

is this the whole installation disk? will this fix the problem?

[wooosh]

Originally Posted by Mesaeus whoosh, is that a legal copy of Windows ? It sounds like your friend installed a pirate copy. If he did install a legal version he should be able to provide you with the installation cd.

it is a legal version but i am no longer in contact with this friend

[macko72]

On how to repair \windows\system32\config\system use recovery console how to do that visit http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_rec.htm

[wooosh]

thx peeps its solved