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[chrisl_1960]

Hello I'm getting the following message on one of our home PC's

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

any help how to cure this please,

[nick v6]

Hello I'm getting the following message on one of our home PC's

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

any help how to cure this please,

oooooo
sounds like you've had an intruder and its deleted one of your main files on system 32 file where the main operating part is

try booting in safe mode

[chrisl_1960]

it's my daughters laptop, tried safe modes etc, no joy, she doesn't have a recovery disk either

[Entwood]

Do you know how to try and boot into "safe mode" ?? (basically press F8 while system boots)

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm

If it does boot to safe mode .. then you can try running the SFC (system File check) routine to repair any missing damaged windows files

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

If it won't boot to safe mode you probably need to do a "repair install" which is easy but you need a full XP install CD to do it.

HTH

[nick v6]

may need to get a xp disc

[nick v6]

ive got a xp disc somewhere with serial number

[chrisl_1960]

when she tries to boot in any of the safe modes it doesn't want to play and returns to blue screen.

she doesn't have an XP disc, if I try using mine, will it repair so she doesn't lose files, or will it format the drive and re-install.

typical case of never backing up any file and photo's that are sooo precious and doesn't want to lose

[nick v6]

when she tries to boot in any of the safe modes it doesn't want to play and returns to blue screen.

she doesn't have an XP disc, if I try using mine, will it repair so she doesn't lose files, or will it format the drive and re-install.

typical case of never backing up any file and photo's that are sooo precious and doesn't want to lose

a fresh install will delete everything
and using yours main block your computer as most xp disc's that come with computers are for that computer only

[Entwood]

Repair install .. if done properly .. will only replace the majority of windows files, it does not replace the registry and a few other files so should not lose any data/programmes.

If you have never done one, this guy has written a pretty good guide  ( I wish I had £5 for every one I've done ....  )

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

You obviously can't back anything up now, as you have no access, but it might work.

If it doesn't then you need to do full format/install

[iainb]

You could get hold of a caddy with a USB connector and put the hard drive into it then try to recover the files that way onto another PC

[Entwood]

You could get hold of a caddy with a USB connector and put the hard drive into it then try to recover the files that way onto another PC

I'm guessing that the OP is not a computer bod, so he probably won't want to be taking a laptop apart ...

I agree it's easy when you know how and have the right tools, but many folks will not be confident to do it - no disrespect to the OP...

[TheBoy]

Its toast. Thats a key hive of the registry.  Don't eff about, that will need rebuilding.

[AndyVXR300]

Try Booting in safe mode and use system restore or check this site for more info

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545

[iainb]

YUP your right............Take lappy to someone and pay them to recover files.

[chrisl_1960]

thanks for the help guys, and yes, absolutely correct, I dont really want to be taking a laptop apart, well, not if it needs to work again afterwards   leave it to someone who knows what they're doing  

will tell her to get it fixed professionally.