My wife's computer runs WinXP-Home, installed by HP at build (i.e., no OS CD).  Long ago, I tossed out the image disk that HP supplied, never wanting to go back to the factory image.  I'd have saved it if it was an OS disk, but it wasn't or certainly didn't appear to be one.

Today, she got this message on boot:
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

"You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original CD-ROM.  Select "r" at the first screen to start the repair."

Any ideas on how to pry this thing open?  Buy an OS upgrade?  Try to get help from HP?

Gordon Totty

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