system won't boot

[saleen385]

i restarted my system this morning and this is the message i got

windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

can attempt repair by starting windows setup using original CD. select r at first screen to start repair

Ok i did that and i get a c prompt (C:\>)
what do i do now?

thanks

[glc]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

[saleen385]

glc,

tried the guided help typed in the first line,
md tmp and i get access denied

what should i try now aside from taking a sledge hammer to it

[glc]

You need to be at a c:\windows> prompt, not c:\>.

[saleen385]

glc,

when i type in the windows prompt i get:
the command is not recognized type help for a list of approved commands

i've been thinking of doing an upgrade to vista, would this be a good time or would i lose all the data on the drive if i were to switch?

also could i put the drive in another pc and copy all the files i need and then reinstall xp?

thanks for the help as always

saleen385

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by saleen385 also could i put the drive in another pc and copy all the files i need and then reinstall xp?

Yes.

[saleen385]

shadowpr

could i also put it in another system and try and use mssupport to fix it?

thanks

[glc]

At the c:\windows> prompt, type this exactly:

md tmp

Hit enter. That is a single space between md and tmp. There is no leading or trailing space.

[saleen385]

glc,

sorry but i'm not getting a C:\windows> prompt the only thing i'm getting is C:\>

how do i get the c windows prompt?

[shadowpr]

from c:\ type cd windows

[saleen385]

i'm getting the path or file specified is not valid

sorry guys i no nothing about software

[shadowpr]

This is copied from the cmd promt.

c:\> c:\>cd windows c:\Windows>

if that won't get you to windows, then type dir from the c:\ and see if it says windows.

[saleen385]

i keep getting the same message