can't load windows please help! WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

[woodys]

i decided to try and bring my desktop pc back to life so bought a new monitor. (it works fine) i then deleted loads of old files to free up some space and then went to add/remove progs to get rid of some unused and unwanted software.

 

i was careful what i uninstalled and then the pc all of a sudden froze up and started making some loud clicking noises. it then crashed to a blue scren of death.

 

i have tried rebooting many times and it keeps ending up at a black screen saying....

 

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt : WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attemp to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original Setup CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first scren to repair.....

 

the main problem here is i do not have the original setup CD ROM

 

Is there any other way around this?

 

Im happy to do a clean install with another windows if possible?

 

Please help!

 

Cheers

Woodys

 

im using win XP if that makes any diff

[Jelly Bean]

Hello Woody.......Either borrow an OEM version of XP from a friend or use a duffrent version of windows that your computer is able to run....

 

Also this could point to a bad hard drive....

[Synapse]

You could try downloading the XP Recovery Console ISO, burning it, booting from it and following Microsofts instructions here

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

Someone on the forum should be able to post the Recovery Console ISO link.

[RandyL]

Neosmart used to have a download but they only have vista and 7 now. Also those are no longer free.

[woodys]

thanks guys much appreciated i'll try and get hold of a copy. i suppose the worst case scenario i'll just have to buy a new hard drive..its possible that the one in there has had it it was making some pretty loud clicking noises!

[Plastic Nev]

If the loud clicking noises were mechanical sounding and from the case, not the speakers, I would be pretty sure the HDD is duff.

Nev.