How to Repair a Broken WinXp Installation?

[Grzyb]

My Mate has e-mailed me with the following problem....

Quote:

Hi Pete,

Sorry to bother you right now with this, but I seem to have a
problem with my new computer.

I'm virtually certain that the 60GB hard drive is damaged and
breaking up with more and more damaged clusters appearing
all the time.

Up to now, either Windows XP or myself have been able to
rectify all the other problems so far on it but this this latest
one has me stuck.

I wonder therefore can you please explain to me step by step
the easiest way to rectify this problem or fault so that I can
recover some important text and picture files before having the
faulty hard drive replaced?

The fault/error message reads as follows:

"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 Setup CD-ROM.

Select 'r ' at the first screen to start repair."

Is there a step by step tutorial that he can use to facillitate the above, a web site that contains any info?....

Or has NE1 any other suggestions

Thanks for any advice......

[~*McoreD*~]

Your mate is not in BetaONE ?
My mates are not here too
We should call them

nuxie1:

Is there data he needs recovered from the hard-drive?
If so, I would maybe suggest plugging it into another machine, with an OS on a seperate drive, booting into that, and copying the data.
It would seem the HDD is corrupting, so you should look into having it replaced/RMA'd or what have you.

cameron_bol:

if the bad sectors are increasing there is a definate problem with the drive. back up the data and send the bastard back.

cya,
/MD

[richardc2000]

I think this type of error message is quite frequent after an improper shutdown.
IMHO the repair option is quite simple to follow. Your friend - if he messes it up- can always
reinstall XP over itself too.

[DoG]

Step By Step:

Boot the machine from the Windows XP CD
When it loads it will say press R to repair a faulty system, Ignore this and press enter to install a new copy
Setup will now search for existing installations of windows.
Windows will locate the existing installation and ask whether you want to repair it.
Choose yes and sit back.
Windows will now replace all the windows system files whilst leaving the other programs and info on the drive.
He will need his Product Key as this is asked for during the repair.