ATA harddrive issue

themucaro

Hey folks, not much of a techie so bear with me

Long story short - the sister is college has lost a very important project due for next Monday because it's not backed up (I know, I know).

Anyway, every time she switches on the pc she gets

"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"

We're trying to track down the original cd but would a replacement one do? It's Windows XP Home Edition she needs. I suggested downloading it and putting it on a blank cd but I don't even know if that's feasible.

She can't take out the harddrive and put it into another pc because it's an old one. I take it this means an ATA harddrive. So the other suggestion I got was get an ATA->SATA enclosure? Are these readily on sale in places like Maplin and PC World. Both rang out when I tried them.

Any suggestions or ideas would be most welcome, thanks!

Orion

You can use any XP CD - you just need to get to the recovery console.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

gamer

TRY reboot hold down f8 ,go to safe mode,load in safe mode, or directory services restore mode ,or safe mode load without network drivers,use arrow keys to choose load choice.
THE hard drive is ata =ide drive you can buy ide caddy from peats or pc shop 30euro .
Or ask a friend to go to here http://www.ntfs.com/
download activebootdisk demo to a pc with a cdwriter.install on the pc.use jmageburn to burn the iso image to a cdr.Set your sis s pc 2boot from cd/dvd thru the bios boot options,cd=drive o,=1st boot device.USE XP cd thats the same type eg xp home edition.IF YOU are not sure re,drive type get a sata/ide
cable 40euro.That prog loads a xp os from the cdr ,lets you copy any file to a usb key.
See here http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1643

gamer

SEE here ata=ide ,caddy http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=26066&sid=14&cid=116&scid=8137
powercity have 4gigabyte usb drive ten euro.

monkeypants

gamer wrote: »

SEE here ata=ide ,caddy http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=26066&sid=14&cid=116&scid=8137
powercity have 4gigabyte usb drive ten euro.

+1

Or something like this. First things first; get the project off there before changing anything further.

gamer

I think you can buy those cables in peats/maplins or pcworld ,cost appox 37 euro,s if you are in a hurry.

gamer

1st try turn on pc holdown f8 safe mode menu, directory services restore ,use arrows up,down,enter to confirm choice.

gamer

See here ide hd data recovery
http://www.datarecoverytutorial.com/recover-data-from-failed-laptop-notebook/

Orion

Guys -I've seen this a number of times. There's no need to buy anything - it's a corrupt registry which can be repaired. Boot off any XP cd and get to the recovery console - then follow the instructions in the link from my post above.

monkeypants

Macros42 wrote: »

Guys -I've seen this a number of times. There's no need to buy anything - it's a corrupt registry which can be repaired. Boot off any XP cd and get to the recovery console - then follow the instructions in the link from my post above.

We've all seen it. I've just never seen it fixed correctly. Your suggestion is valid, I was just saying that he should recover his sister's project as a priority.

gamer

I AGREE,it should be easier to use winxp cd ,and R command to fix the registry,i
just want him to know usbto ide cables are avaidable if it comes to that scenario,or if the registry is unfixable.
HE may not have the expertise to download the activebootdisk and burn an iso
to cdr.

gamer

IF YOU ARE IN A HURRY you could get the latest issue of linux format,with a linux cd os on the front,from easons.And boot up the pc ,insert cd into drive,reboot.You can get to bios by pressing del key or one of the f function keys ,eg f7 ,f11 THEN SET BOOT OPTIONS CDROM=0 DRIVE , 1st bootdrive=dvd/cdrom .THIS should enable you to acess any file on the hardrive copy it to a usb, you can use search function eg search thesis1.doc on drive c.
LINUX now has full gui graphical os interface with usb and mouse support built in,plug in usb or ps2 mouse be4 you turn on the pc,it may not have touchpad drivers 4your pc.
GOOGLE how to boot from linux cd ubuntu ,or ubuntu os screenshots.

themucaro

Spot on lads, got sorted! Thanks!