Gordon,

You can here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e8fe6868-6e4f-471c-b455-bd5afee126d8&DisplayLang=enand download windows xp home edition bootup disk program. when the program is downloaded you will need 6 formatted floppy disk. once you have the disk's open the program and follow the instructions. Once the floppies are made insert the first one made in then restart the pc then start the setup. after the six floppies are loaded press R in the main blue screen and it will load recovery console after it loads and you are able to type in the command line type chkdisk then just in case type fixboot.



Their are other ways to fix this problems but for now do it this way.
If you have any problems or question  u can contact me in msn ([log in to unmask])
im on most of the day
I hope this info will help you for i know it has for me

Gordon Totty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
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

PCBUILD's List Owners:
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Drew Dunn

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                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
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