XP Pro Boot Problem

[NegatiZE]

The other night, browsed the web, checked my email....the usual and turned my omputer off for the night. Next morning I had to turn it on, and this message popped up:
"Windows XP 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 XP Setup using the original Setup floppy disk or CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

I managed to get my computer running so I can post this message/look for help by installing a fresh copy of XP on my second hard drive.

I have looked on MS Knowledge Base and found a similar problem but it has something to do with installing XP before installing Windows 2000. I tried what they had suggested but it worked to no avail.

So I guess I have two options - 1)Copy over all the information I need to keep and reinstall XP on the hard drive or 2)Find out what is the problem and fix it

One problem:
I have already started to copy over all my information, but everything stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\Clint\" folder is not accessible. I keep getting "Access is Denied". I have quite a few pictures in the My Documents\My Pictures folder I would like to keep. I wish there was a way around this.

Anyone have suggestions? Anyway I can avoid having to completely reinstall everything?

 

[bozo1]

Why not do what the error message said? Boot off the CD and run a repair. If it can fix it, which it probably can, all your woes will be gone.

 

[NegatiZE]

I've tried running the recovery console but it is basically a VERY VERY basic version of the Command Prompt. Since I don't know what exactly the problem is, I have no idea what to do. It's not automated or anything, it just gives me this C> prompt which doesn't help me in any way.

By the way - I have tried copying over the documents using the Recovery Console, but it will not let me copy more than one file at a time. It doesn't allow wild cards. I used SET AllowWildCards = TRUE to fix it, but it still doesn't work.

The only way it seems I can access everything in my user folder is to use the Recovery Console. Using the Windows Command Prompt or Windows Explorer gives me an "Access is Denied" message.

 

[NegatiZE]

Anyone?

 

[minendo]

Have you tried running a virus scanner to see if you were nailed with some virus?

 

[TheCorm]

Aren't the recovery console and the repair option when booting from the windows 2000 cd 2 different things?

To get to the Repair option, you generally go the normal installation route until you spot R - repair.

Corm