Laptop got pwned

[Not Kuno]

Can anyone help me with a laptop problem? Recently windows has been taking really long to load and today I got alot of blue screens of death.

But now when I try to start up windows it tells me-

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or currupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

Um... huh? I'm not an idiot so I dont have spyshits/viruses... so its kinda odd for me to get something like this. Anyway, is there anyway to get to fix this without reformating my laptop? Or at least.. some way to get my data off the laptop?

[Pro]

Windows XP?

Edit:
well my point was, if you had Windows XP, can try the System Restore feature Via, Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.

This restores your PC to a previous state. you get the pick the restore point (will let you pick from a calendar, based on days).

[Not Kuno]

Yup. Home Edition.

[Zigma]

load the winxp disc in and instead of reformating, have it repair for current installation of winxp.

[Pro]

load the winxp disc in and instead of reformating, have it repair for current installation of winxp.

I find doing that fucks up the computer even more =X, I usually format every 3 or so months, cause i end up having a lot of junk, and pc runs better on a clean install...but been have stopped that recently, cause of fucking final fantasy updates -_-

[Not Kuno]

It doesnt let me change the boot order, because the laptop isn't mine. In addition I don't even have the CD (although I have some random windows XP CD somewhere).

I dont want to go to the organization I got it from because theyre solution to every problem is to reformat it. Window size doesn't want to save? Reformat. (Insert any problem here) Reformat. You get the idea.

Anything I can do with this situation?

[Pro]

It doesnt let me change the boot order, because the laptop isn't mine. In addition I don't even have the CD (although I have some random windows XP CD somewhere).

I dont want to go to the organization I got it from because theyre solution to every problem is to reformat it. Window size doesn't want to save? Reformat. (Insert any problem here) Reformat. You get the idea.

Anything I can do with this situation?

1- I think he meant reinstall it through window, you don't have to boot the pc from CD

2- Try the System Restore!

[Not Kuno]

Um.. windows doesnt load.

[Pro]

oh right. I assume Safe Mode doesn't load either right?

[Not Kuno]

Doesn't load either.

[aurik]

4th story window.

[Erza]

On the bootup menu (when it's loading hit F8 blah blah) and choose "use last known working configuration" or something like that. Might work.

[Zigma]

reformat and have windows just delete the windows tree (am i saying that correct) and not delete any files on the hdd

edit: doh, if you can't change the boot order, is the 1st floppy or something?

[Fatality]

If you have your windows restore CD you can pop that in and while its loading up hit F8 i think one of the F keys and run that, that should work but it will wipe everything.

[Not Kuno]

I appriciate the help, but you guys arnt reading what Im saying.

I dont have any CDs. All I have is some Windows XP installer CD.

I dont want anything reformated. Obviously reformatting fixes the problem but thats not what I want to do.

[aurik]

I don't know if this works for laptops, but whenever I had a HD/computer go bonkers I always just hooked it up to another computer as a secondary drive and backed it up.

You could do that, then get it formatted, then copy back the important files.

[Fatality]

I doubt there is anything you can do excpet sweeping it clean, my advice, go buy a wipe disk.

[Pro]

if u can't change boot order, I think you are fucked.

[Drinhkinn]

Me if i were there in person this would be cake to solve.


Now things you might want to try:

Get partition magic and split the HDD in 2 partitions (if its not already done), then transfer all your data to keep on the 2nd partition with a DOS boot disk, or one of those ready to boot linux Discs

That way you can reformat the first partition and then re-install windows with that CD you got, shouldn't affect the 2nd partition.

Second option is tricky and needs special hardware:

Unscrew the hard drive out of the laptop, use a IDE adaptor to plug it as a secondary HD drive in a desktop computer, backup your data on the desktop computer's hard drive, stuff back the compact HD in the laptop, format, re-install, and then network the 2 computers to transfer back your data.

Second option is much safer to preserve your data, as partition magic has the possibility of corrupting a whole partition and not just specific files or folders, however second option needs alot of ressources at hand.

[Sadler]

I can send you an ISO that boots into Windows XP without using your HDD. This way you can back up anyshit you need and flatten the drive if need so. If you want me to il host it on a website over nite and you can download it in the morning.