System32 file missing or corrupt

[Woozie]

My computer will not boot up. When I try to boot it up, it says \windows\system32\config is missing or corruopt (or something like that). I put in a windows disk to repair it, but I have no clue how. I get to the screen that says "choose installation". I choose "1" because it's the only option that shows up, and then it says c:\windows

And at this point I have absolutely no clue whatsoever what to do.

How do I repair this file? I'm using windows xp, if that matters.

[Isiolia]

I'd try running chkdsk (or whatever other hard drive utility you have) first, in case the issue is with your filesystem moreso than the actual file being missing.

If that doesn't work, then most likely the problem is a corrupt registry. There are plenty of instructions on how to fix it on the web if you Google it. How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting would be one such resource.

[Mizango]

A shot in the dark but have you tried using the "Last good configuration" option yet? See man, you should hop on yahoo and holla

Unblock me man.

If all else fails, you need to find your CD and log into the Recov. console.

Trying to give you a few options besides "lol kill it and start over", I mean unless you just don't care.

[Jefe]

Eh, seems like your registry hive is fucked. You can always try to recover it by following:

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

Note that you need the start up discs.

[Ratatapa]

Easy fix i do for that

Go to the console where you were (where you choose 1 and it said c:\windows

Try these both lines

Fixboot

Then

Fixmbr

It should recreat the boot files aka the folder to boot

if that doesnt work just do an installation repair

[Kriz]

If the above doesn't fix it, you need to run the second repair a Windows boot cd offers.

When you first boot, you are prompted to enter repair or whatever, that takes to you what Ratatapa has (Recovery Console, it's not very user friendly).

If you instead choose to install Windows, you will again have the option to repair. Except this time you choose your partition you'd like to repair, and then it overwrites all the Windows OS files with fresh copies. This should fix you error if it's a file error. IMO, this is what you should do.

If you have this issue again, I'd check your hard drive to see if you have any bad sectors (SpinRite recommened)