when I re-started pc it came back blank with message:

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.

Any ideas??
Thanks Carl

See if this helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

thanks, but I still dont know what to do, I cant get to any recovery console as I dont have the start up disc.
I guess I will have to wait for a tech to come back to work then I'll have to own up to whatever I did wrong.
again, thanks for your help, hopefully I wont be in too much @@@@ at work.

have a great xmas

You could try starting in Safe Mode options by pressing F8 after the BIOS POST or computer logo screen but before Windows tries to start.

Here you can try: Last known good configuration.

If that does not work you will need an XP CD to get over this.

Thanks for the thanks and happy holidays to you as well.

thanks again, but still doesn't work, can get to the safe boot screen by pressing F8 but any option I try it comes back with the message " press 'r' "
I pressed 'r' at least a million times with no joy.
The Info Systems guys at work will kill me when they get back from hols but I can live with that.
Thanks

Hi guys thanks, it turned out that the hard drive had packed in.
guys at work had slave and recover discs, thanks again.
ps. I didn't get in trouble, phew!!

Thanks for the update!

Glad it all worked out for you!

:wave: