PC not starting...

Hi,

I have shut down my notebook (Compaq mini 110) using the on/off switch as it
was frozen on welcome screen.  On starting it gave the following error
message :

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt :
\windows\system\config\system  You can attempt to repair this file by
starting Windows setup using the original setup CD Rom.  Select 'r' at the
first screen to start repair.

What do I do now.  It is Notebook - No CD drive.

I urgently need to access some files on the PC!

Kind regards,


--
MvA

"How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP

starting"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Thanks Leonard but two problems...

Thanks Leonard but two problems...  1)  Do not have any such Disk (no CD
drive) and 2) I am an absolute klutz with tech jargon...
--
MvA

...and you probably do not have a backup, either.

...and you probably do not have a backup, either.

Time to show your computer to a professional
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

MvA wrote:Purchase a USB CD drive.

Purchase a USB CD drive.  Then insert an XP Recovery Console CD and try
some of the suggested repairs.. look on the hard drive for the \System file.

Instructions
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_rec.htm

Download (and copy to a CD)  This thread shows a link to an .iso image
that you can burn to a CD.  I cannot find the one I used to download an
image, but am pretty sure the link was in this newsgroup.

http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=150212

or look for this text:

methods for placing floppy disk images on a bootable CD.  One easy way
to create a bootable CD containing the Recovery Console from the
Microsoft file mentioned above has been provided by Dean Adams and can
be downloaded at this link."

http://commandwindows.com/recovery.htm

--
Joe   =o)

All PC's supplied with windows preinstalled have a means of recovery,Either

All PC's supplied with windows preinstalled have a means of recovery,
Either via recovery cd supplied by the PC maker
or
Hidden restore partition which you have to access to create the recovery
cd's
In future, before you buy a new PC do some basic research

Try pressing the [F8] key, repeatedly, as soon as you turn on the PC.

Try pressing the [F8] key, repeatedly, as soon as you turn on the PC.

This should bring up the Advanced Windows Startup and Recovery Options screen.

Try choosing the option :  "Last Known Good Configuration"  from the list of
options...

Do this before you attempt a complete re-install...

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    :-)