erm i have a problem. i get this error on startup, i have had some trouble with virus' for the past couple of weeks, this is a duplicate post from the one i posted on the end of the other thread but this is more xp trouble.

it all started going pear shaped when i was listening to music (that all i was doing, i have 1.5gb ram installed) and the music started jumping, and going mental. it then restarted and brings up the errors mentioned below.

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

then underneath it asks me to insert windows xp cd to repair file, but its an oem installation of xp

my computer is an "it works" (oh the irony ) computer and has this recovery program called "pc angel"

here is a link to the website (it came factory shipped already installed on my pc) http://www.pcangelle.com/WW70AWP/WW7...YNC_1105119046

-------------------
just to cut this bit away from the explanation above, here are the option avaliable inside pc angel.

1. "non-destructive system recovery" - "the system recovery program, in this normal default mode of operation, recovers factory shipped applications, drivers and the operating system without affecting any data files you may have created since purchasing this pc. click next to continue"

2. "System recovery - no format" - "this option will install a new operating system while preserving all your data. however any windows applications and settings will need to be reinstalled. all current files will be moved to "my old disk structure" directory"

3. "system recovery - quick format" - "**WARNING** this option will format the user partion on the hard disk and recover all factory shipped files into the user partion. all your personal data files created and applications installed after the pc was purchased will be erased. if possible please quit and backup your data files before trying this destructive recovery option."

i hate xp, i insert an xp cd (i borrowed it) ran the cd, pressed r and left it for a while, and its completely reformatted my computer. ive lost all my data files and everything. i knew i should have used pc angel. the problem is that now i have to redo some of my latest work (my xtra hard drive has survived that has most of my data on it but the stuff on my main comp has to be redone.

so i guess problem solved (kinda

i dont suppose there is a way of getting the old data back is there?

There are many data recovery tools for a price.

If you choose to try this the first thing you need to do is stop using the computer/ hard drive. The more you use it the harder it would be to find any data.

Here is just a general search for recovery software:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...=data+recovery

thanks for the help. i have recovered some of my work. as luck would have it all the important "finish asap" files were easily recoverable and after checking them out they are complete. ill have a closer look at them later.

but i still have some work to do. i cannot thank you enough.