Laptop won't boot - recovery options

[James Frayne]

Hi,

My girlfriend's laptop won't boot and gives the following error:

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

She doesn't have any backups and has lost her XP recovery CD.

Can I use an XP recovery CD from another computer to try and repair
this? The laptop is running XP professional and I have an XP
professional recovery CD.

The other option is that I remove the hard drive from the laptop and put
it in my desktop (I have an adapter) and copy her files on to my hard
drive before reinstalling windows.

I'm not sure what is the best course of action. What would you recommend?

Regards,

James

 

[Dave B]

See inline

Hi,

My girlfriend's laptop won't boot and gives the following error:

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

She doesn't have any backups and has lost her XP recovery CD.

Can I use an XP recovery CD from another computer to try and repair
this? The laptop is running XP professional and I have an XP
professional recovery CD.

* No, a recovery CD for one computer will generally not work in a different
one.

The other option is that I remove the hard drive from the laptop and put
it in my desktop (I have an adapter) and copy her files on to my hard
drive before reinstalling windows.

*this may be the easiest option, what is the make/model of the laptop?

 

[James Frayne]

* No, a recovery CD for one computer will generally not work in a different
one.




*this may be the easiest option, what is the make/model of the laptop?

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite Pro A10
Is it just a case of removing the hard drive from the laptop, setting it
to be a slave drive and connecting it to my desktop using the adapter
and then copying the files across in Windows Explorer?

Thanks

 

[Dave B]

Assuming you have the type of adapter that allows you to plug the laptop
drive into a desktop IDE cable, rather than messing with the jumpers on the
laptop drive, just unplug the data cable from the CD drive in your desktop
and plug the laptop drive into it, usually easier than messing with jumpers.

 

[James Frayne]

Assuming you have the type of adapter that allows you to plug the laptop
drive into a desktop IDE cable, rather than messing with the jumpers on the
laptop drive, just unplug the data cable from the CD drive in your desktop
and plug the laptop drive into it, usually easier than messing with jumpers.

Thanks for your help, I have now copied the files of the laptop hard
disk onto my desktop's hard disk.
I got hold of a recovery DVD from a similar model of Toshiba laptop and
tried that. It ran successfully, but Windows didn't load after the
reboot. I assume this is because I used a recovery DVD for the wrong
laptop, but I am now stuck as to how to get Windows back on this laptop.

If can get a full Windows XP CD and install it, will I be able to
activate it using the product key on the COA on the base of the laptop
or will that only work with a copy of Windows XP from Toshiba?

If so, I assume that my only option is to contact Toshiba and purchase a
replacement recovery DVD for the laptop. Is this correct?
Thanks again,

James