Corrupted startup file

[Guest]

When I try to start Windows, I get a text message saying that the file
\windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrrupted. It suggests that I
use a recovery CD and press "r" to enter the Recovery Console. I've done
that, but have no idea what to do at the prompt. Please help!

(Also, I'm tempted to select the option that says "To set up Windows XP now,
press ENTER." Would that erase my data or would it just reinstall Windows,
keeping my data intact?)

Thanks!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When I try to start Windows, I get a text message saying that the
file \windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrrupted. It
suggests that I use a recovery CD and press "r" to enter the
Recovery Console. I've done that, but have no idea what to do at
the prompt. Please help!

(Also, I'm tempted to select the option that says "To set up
Windows XP now, press ENTER." Would that erase my data or would it
just reinstall Windows, keeping my data intact?)

A repair install would likely fix what you need, but a clean install would
erase everything.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

 

[Guest]

you can also try this to avoid repair...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545