i cannot get into windows, error message appears at boot up: the following file is missing or corrupted, c:\windows\system32\config.sys, or something similar, the point is the config.sys file is damaged in some way, i have not been downloading software off the internet, so no virus is suspected, i have service pack 1 installed, this was very unexpected, what could have caused this to happen and how do i deal with it without having to format my hard drive again. Cheers!

Do you have an old startup disk with the good drivers on it. If you have got it copy the config.sys to windows/command. Are you able to go to dos mode. If you can edit your config.sys manual. Look for something strange like dead DEVICE= links. Or just look for a basic config.sys file on internet change your DEVICE for CDROM and reinstall XP pro. Butt whatever you do reinstalling XP will be necessary cause it will edit your config.sys for startup.

Running scandisk from a boost disk may help you You can also use the recovery console on the windows xp professional cd

is the line c:\windows\system32\config\system the one you get? I have this prob at the moment you can restore using info from microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545 but there is probably some underlying hardware issue such as onboard sound or chipset check for new chipset drives etc once system is running again I havent got time to address the problem at the moment my self so my system is left running all the time.