c:\windows\system32\config\system is missing

[Guest]

Recovery not working. With regards to this problem, can I just get Windows
Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain my data and
files?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Recovery not working.

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Once you've recovered, you might want to look here, as well:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

With regards to this problem, can I just get Windows
Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain my data and
files?

It would be very unwise to attempt performing an upgrade of a corrupted
older operating system; you're likely to compound your problems.
Don't attempt anything until you backed up all of your important data files.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Recovery not working. With regards to this problem, can I just get Windows
Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain my data and
files?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Recovery not working. With regards to this problem, can I just get Windows
Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain my data and
files?

These days, with modern versions of Windows, an upgrade installation
is usually just as good as a clean installation.

The one situation in which an upgrade is *not* likely to go well is
when you are currently experiencing problems.

I strongly recommend against ever trying use an upgrade as a way to
solve a problem. Upgrading an installation with a problem is more
likely to exacerbate the problem than to solve it.

 

[Jon Scott]

I strongly recommend against ever trying use an upgrade as a way to
solve a problem. Upgrading an installation with a problem is more
likely to exacerbate the problem than to solve it.

"exacerbate"? Had to look that one up on Webster:

Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate
Pronunciation: ig-'za-s&r-"bAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -bat·ed; -bat·ing
Etymology: Latin exacerbatus, past participle of exacerbare, from ex- +
acerbus harsh, bitter, from acer sharp -- more at EDGE
: to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the proposed shutdown...would
exacerbate unemployment problems -- Science>
- ex·ac·er·ba·tion /-"za-s&r-'bA-sh&n/ noun


That's a new word for me!

Jon.

 

[HeyBub]

...


"exacerbate"? Had to look that one up on Webster:

Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate
Pronunciation: ig-'za-s&r-"bAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -bat·ed; -bat·ing
Etymology: Latin exacerbatus, past participle of exacerbare, from ex-
+ acerbus harsh, bitter, from acer sharp -- more at EDGE
exacerbate unemployment problems -- Science>
- ex·ac·er·ba·tion /-"za-s&r-'bA-sh&n/ noun


That's a new word for me!

Hmm. I find it exigent and almost never unconscionable to use 'exacerbate.'

 

[HeyBub]

Recovery not working. With regards to this problem, can I just get
Windows Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain
my data and files?

No. Get the system working first.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

...


"exacerbate"? Had to look that one up on Webster:

Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate
Pronunciation: ig-'za-s&r-"bAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -bat·ed; -bat·ing
Etymology: Latin exacerbatus, past participle of exacerbare, from ex- +
acerbus harsh, bitter, from acer sharp -- more at EDGE
: to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the proposed shutdown...would
exacerbate unemployment problems -- Science>
- ex·ac·er·ba·tion /-"za-s&r-'bA-sh&n/ noun


That's a new word for me!

Sorry, I didn't mean to send you to the dictionary.

 

[Jim]

...


"exacerbate"? Had to look that one up on Webster:

Main Entry: ex·ac·er·bate
Pronunciation: ig-'za-s&r-"bAt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -bat·ed; -bat·ing
Etymology: Latin exacerbatus, past participle of exacerbare, from ex- +
acerbus harsh, bitter, from acer sharp -- more at EDGE
: to make more violent, bitter, or severe <the proposed shutdown...would
exacerbate unemployment problems -- Science>
- ex·ac·er·ba·tion /-"za-s&r-'bA-sh&n/ noun


That's a new word for me!

Jon.

But not for me.
Jim

 

[Jon Scott]

Hmm. I find it exigent and almost never unconscionable to use
'exacerbate.'

My... head... hurts... ;-)

Jon.

 

[Plato]

These days, with modern versions of Windows, an upgrade installation
is usually just as good as a clean installation.

The one situation in which an upgrade is *not* likely to go well is
when you are currently experiencing problems.

I strongly recommend against ever trying use an upgrade as a way to
solve a problem. Upgrading an installation with a problem is more
likely to exacerbate the problem than to solve it.

I cant count how many people I've told that to, both in person and on
the phone. It appears to me that there is a "common" belief that if you
have a problem, upgrading to the newest Windows version will solve it.
As you said, it almost always makes the existing problem worse.

 

[Plato]

Recovery not working. With regards to this problem, can I just get Windows
Vista and install that as an upgrade and then I should retain my data and
files?

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm#18

Best to install fresh anyway, in any case, with any MS OS.