OS needs repair

[SmackAHobo]

Hey guys,
Just a little problem i'm having with a laptop at the moment. My mums laptop decided to die the other day.
On startup we get this message "Windows could not start because the following file is either missing or corrupt, Windows\System32\Config\System. It says i can repair it using the original Windows XP disk.
If i choose to repair the installation is there any chance that the files on the laptop could be lost? It is imperative that we keep these files, we have a lot of very important documents that cannot be lost.
So guys, which way should i do this?

 

[claudette4u]

I have the same problem before, well almost...so what I did is search on the internet on my other computer and came across with this site with a promo free support its,Supportrix. We tried the F8 while pc is rebooting and choose Last Known Good and then we change names of some files, Or if you want you could check microsoft's KBase.

 

[SmackAHobo]

Tried that mate, no go. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[C1]

Just do a repair using the System disk. This replaces critical system files while leaving your installed data, applications & settings in place. Remember, after booting from the system disk, you will get a blue data screen that will talk about "repair" or recovery". DO NOT select "R" then. You will want to press "ENTER" instead (ie, go to the next screen) then exercise the "R" (ie, repair) option in this subsequent screen. It will work fine. I havent had to "repair" often, but the few times Ive used it, it worked as advertised.

And Oh, yes.....as I recall, you'll be requested for the CD Key during the repair process.

I need to point out also that the above procedure applies to a convetional commercial system disk. However, if you have an OEM notebook disk then it may not even have a repair option. It probably will instead be a custom version of the OS installation with the drivers slipstreamed. Typically OEM notebook manufacterer installation disks provide only the capability to either install/reinstall drivers & OEM included applications or restore the hard drive to original factory loadout which is not what you want.