cant start windows problem

[footycard steve]

my computer is now 8 or 9 years old and today it just seemed to have froze whilst i had 2 windows open and i could not get the pages to work so i switched off the power and re-started but now i have the message windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system
it then tells me i can attempt a repair but i need the original set up cd-rom which i dont have,can i do anything else to try and even just get to the pictures etc without being online?
computer is using windows xp and its a msi computer.

[Curious123]

You could try booting up in Safe Mode and then try doing a System Restore to restore your pc to state before the problem.

Starting Windows XP in Safe Mode:

[footycard steve]

i've re-started again and tapped the f8 now have the windows advanced options menu with start windows normally hi-lited but i'm unable to move up or down the options with the arrow keys to get to safe mode.

[Cod3waX]

get urself a copy of hirens with mini xp bootable on it version 14 or 15 now
mostly found on torrent sites

found it here http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/

[cunny]

Sounds more like the system dir is missing. Best doing a reinstal of windows

sent from my fat fingers using tapatalk.

[footycard steve]

get urself a copy of hirens with mini xp bootable on it version 14 or 15 now
mostly found on torrent sites

found it here Download Hiren?s BootCD 15.1 | HBCD Fan & Discussion Platform

is it easy to do as i know nothing about computers?

[footycard steve]

i phoned the local computer shop and he said he could do a re-set if it has licence key and that the computer would work as fast as it did when it was new,is that right? it would cost ?35 if i didnt want pictures etc backed up.

[DOUGALMCD]

If you have licence key you can do it yourself.

[footycard steve]

If you have licence key you can do it yourself.

i dont know where to find the licence key or even what it is?

[ron292001]

READ THIS

http://www.digital-kaos.co.uk/forums/f36/very-useful-boot-cd-hirens-boot-cd-v11-155845/

[footycard steve]

are people saying its a virus on the computer rather than a fault or broken? i've run malwarebytes and microsoft essentials scans on it recently.

[Cod3waX]

is it easy to do as i know nothing about computers?

yes but u might need to load into ur bios settings and change the first boot device to ur cd/dvd rom then u can run hirens from computer startup and then select mini xp

this then will allow u to load into a safemode windows and u'll be able to view ur hdd and save off any info u want

dunno why i didnt say to do this first but take ur computer apart: use and air compressor to clean ur system of dust but be sure notr get get to close and only short burst of air then take out the ram and remove the cpu heatsink then remove the old heatsink paste and replace with new.

assemble back together and try using

[footycard steve]

yes but u might need to load into ur bios settings and change the first boot device to ur cd/dvd rom then u can run hirens from computer startup and then select mini xp

this then will allow u to load into a safemode windows and u'll be able to view ur hdd and save off any info u want

dunno why i didnt say to do this first but take ur computer apart: use and air compressor to clean ur system of dust but be sure notr get get to close and only short burst of air then take out the ram and remove the cpu heatsink then remove the old heatsink paste and replace with new.

assemble back together and try using

you lost me at bios settings,and theres no way i could take a computer apart without a hammer but the part about the dust could be interesting as it does get dusty at the back as its not easy to get to.

[mtv1]

when booting pc you will see message press f12 or space bar to adjust BIOS settings get it to boot from cd drive first then hdd its not rocket science m8

[Shady]

or delete, or esc, or indeed any of the f keys