Windows 7 Widows is now gone

[thomasb57]

my puter says "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\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.

This is all that I get. I cant do anything from here.
Could someone please give me some idea how to fix this?
Thanx in advance, Tom

 

[Trouble]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Have you attempted to boot from the Installation Media (DVD / Thumb Drive) and tried any of the options present there. Specifically a System Restore to a Restore Point earlier in time, prior to the problem first presenting.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/windows-7-recovery-environment-command-prompt/

 

[badrobot]

my puter says "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\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.

This is all that I get. I cant do anything from here.
Could someone please give me some idea how to fix this?
Thanx in advance, Tom

Hello. Follow exactly what it says. That's all you need to do at this point.

 

[thomasb57]

Hello. Follow exactly what it says. That's all you need to do at this point.

First, Thanx for the reply.
I would love to try that however, I dont have any of the disk's any more. (I know).
I was hoping there was a way to do it without the disk.
Thanx again, Tom

 

[Trouble]

Assuming your current copy of Windows 7 is legitimate and you have the product key, then I believe you can still download the proper windows 7 ISO from here Link Removed to match you current copy of Windows 7 and use that to create install media to begin the diagnosis and repair of your installation.

 

[thomasb57]

OK, sorry for misinformation.
Here is the scoop.
I had windows xp home edition on my laptop.
Windows crashed and said "\windows\system32\config\system is missing, or corrupt."
I have the activation code but not the install disk.
Every time I try something the screen that says "missing or corrupt" shows up and I can do NOTHING.
Can someone give me step by step instructions to get this to work?
I would be very appreciative.
If any more info is needed I will happily give it.
Any help would be great. Thanx, Tom
'

 

[Jimbo22]

The best advice I can give is for you to contact the laptops manufacturer and buy the recovery media from them. Usually it doesn't cost that much but it will cost you. The last time I did this was some years back (10 yrs), from HP and Dell and for each they were around $25, so not to bad. Since XP is no longer being officially supported from MS, the on hand stock of this media might not be available any longer. So the sooner the better.