I think I messed up my computer because it will not load. On the black while it's booting, it stops and says this exactly: ------ Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system\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. ------- The reason this happened is because when I turned on my computer, I was being prompted for a user password. Since I got this computer a few months ago, I never had a password or used one so I didn't know it. I tried to go into the BIOS screen and stop it from asking for a password. I disabled the password option (which probably wouldn't have fixed it anyway, I know, but I tried anyway) and then when I exited and the computer started to load, that error message popped up. I tried to go back into the BIOS setup thing but I couldn't get there. I'm not computer savvy enough to have even tried that in the first place. I have my computer-expert friend coming next week. My question is: Can this be fixed easily without losing my data? I have over 100GB worth of stuff on my computer that I don't want to lose and it would take forever to backup. What does that message mean? Thank you!

ERRORS: missing or corrupt : \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, or missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE, or Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from Starting This is basically used to recover data, as it states. How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP Print those for your computer friend. Watch for help from others.

The reason why you cannot start Windows XP is because the System or software hive is either missing or damaged. Look HERE for the procedures that may fix it. I am not sure if this will help in spite of the drastic actions you took thus far. I have over 100GB worth of stuff on my computer that I don't want to lose and it would take forever to backup The very first thig I always tell my customers is to backup data daily or weekly. In school our first computer lesson involved backup techniques and plannings. You should have known better that you cannot rely on a machine to be in good working condition forever. i_XpUser

Thanks guys. I e-mailed those articles to my computer friend. He said he didn't think I'd have to reformat or lose any of my data. Is this true? That's my main concern. I'm worried. XpUser, I've learned my lesson. I'm gonna back up all my important stuff on DVDs as soon as my system is up and running again. Thanks. :)