SirFozzalot

Had some vague error message flashing on the screen when I returned to the office where the laptop had been left switched on and now it won't even start up.

I get an Error message saying:

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

I realise there are probably a million other things you would need to know but does this mean that it is dead and have I lost all the contents of the HD (since last back-up...some time ago ) or does it sound like it could be retrieved/fixed?

Any thoughts would be nice before I send it back to HQ all the way up in Wigan. (I am in essex)

Nate

iTrader: (2)

Fozz,

Send John1UK a PM



Nate.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

i take it you are using xp? if so just boot up with the xp disk and repair the installation of windows. All your files will be in place still.
There are 2 ways of doing this though and the way to do it is not the most apparent.

cong

use the xp dics goto repair then when it goes to the dos screen type chkdsk

darlodge

Don't touch it, let you work IT nerds do it.

It will get you in serious trouble if they find out and you are impairing the ability for the nerds (that know what they are doing) to fix it.

Darren

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Works Laptop not working = Property of your works, which the works I.T department will need to fix. Sounds like a corrupt windows file. So your data should be safe.

SirFozzalot

I wasn't going to try to fix it myself (I don't have the XP discs here anyway), I was just interested what the likelyhood of my data being lost.

Thanks for the replies!

I will let the nerds at HQ work their magic!

Iain Young

Whether you have lost your data or not really depends on why your system files have become corrupt. In my experience, the only times I have seen this happen is when the system either becomes infected with a nasty virus, or if the hard disc is failing. In both of those cases I'd be hoping I had a backup of my data...

Good luck..