Deletion Disaster Help

[Guest]

Hi,
My brother went into a delete frenzy before he sold me his
old computer and deleted every system32.config file plus
much more. I am now unable to do any kind of rescue and I
cannot even do a reformat from the command line. The
computer fires up and runs and I can get to CMOS but it
keeps going around and around looking for
the 'windows/system32/config' file that is missing. I was
able to restore many deleted files but I suspect the order
is messed up. The error page tells me to select 'r' when
I install the original XP disc but I simply cannot
manipulate the computer to run that disc. Help. By the
way I'm thinking of renting out my brother to HP to do
beta testing. He has destroyed 3 computers.

Dave, Vancouver

 

[Jerry]

Go into the BIOS and change the boot order so you can boot from the XP CD.

After the computer boots from the CD do a repair install.

Take brother out back and beat the crap out of him.

 

[Guest]

Recovery Console (Everything related) (Windows XP)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&Product=winxp
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314058&Product=winxp

Install or Upgrade Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316941&Product=winxp

Good Luck!

 

[Guest]

Yes to beating the crap out of the brother
I tried re-ordering the 'boot' in CMOS but selection #1
will not allow the option of CD, only 'floppy'. #2,#3 and
#4 will but that doesn't help because as you know I need
the CD to boot from #1.

Dave

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Dave;
No, the CD does not need to be #1.
But the CD does need to be before the hard drive.
If floppy is #1, that is OK, I have it that way on some computers.

 

[Jerry]

Make the order #1 floppy, #2 CD, and #3 hard drive.

Don't put anything in the floppy drive and you should get an onscreen
message about booting from the CD.