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[gina]

Hi everyone, i turned on pc to see this message windows/system32/config/system is missing or corrupt. I tried things suggested on the internet like putting in xp disc but when it says press any key to go into it, it goes back to the error message, i also had to change the bios thing so the disc would start up. Thanks for any help or suggestion.

[JonS]

that one of the registry files missing or not loading

Either
1) the file is corrupted and cannot load or
2) you have bad RAM memory and the file cannot load into memory

Possible resolutions

a) assuming its WinXP, do a manual system restore of the registry - see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
b) reseat the memory sticks (one could be loose) or replace them


(a) is a fun one to try
There is an easier way to copy the files back if you have a runtime CD such as VistaPE or BARTPE, - you don't have to do so much file renaming then, but its still only something to try if you know your way around windows. If you don't, call in help

and for good measure, once you have it working, do a thorough scan for malware

[gina]

Yes it is winxp, only had it back for a week as i paid to have win7 taken off and xp on, cant do the thing it says in microsoft answers as it wont run the disc i can hear it running but when it says press any key to use it just goes back to error message.

[JonS]

then you also have either
faulty CD drive or
faulty / incorrect windows CD or
you're not hitting a key quickly enough

The CD you are trying to use
is it a real Microsoft CD or a copy? What does the naming on it actually say?
What make / model is the computer?