Please help idiot dad with xp home question

[JHawk]

My 13 year old has received the following message.....following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system
...repair by using original start up disk.Select r at the first screen

Well like most 13 years olds he can't find the start up disk.

What can I do to help him?

Thx in advance,

JHawk

 

[cchen]

do you have the installation cd?

 

[JHawk]

cchen--he can't find that either(of course!)

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

Originally posted by: JHawk
cchen--he can't find that either(of course!)

i think you should help him look lol
without that all is possibly lost

 

[corkyg]

The original Startup disk and the installation CD are normally one and the same. This is one of life's object lessons - if he has to buy another one ($99) he may learne an important lesson.

 

[JHawk]

Ah-- the joys of parenthood! Guess I know what one of his Christmas gifts will be--I must admit I got tired of helping him look😉

 

[VicodiN]

Note: Always make more then one set of startup disks...

 

[lenjack]

Not an idiot dad...an idiot son.

 

[Broadkipa]

Is there not a restore point you could go back to that might restore the missing file, worth a try.

 

[JHawk]

I thought of that but how do you get from the screen I identified in the original post? That's the only thing that will display.