Can anyone help with windows\sytem32 corrupt file?

[triciahp]

When I try to boot my computer I get the following message:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

I have tried to use application and system recovery discs, but my computer is not recognizing my cd drives as working.

Can I use my laptop cd drive to use recover discs on my desktop pc?  If so, how do I use it?

I'd appreciate any and all help.  TIA!!

[Dusty]

Welcome to the CH forums.

I have tried to use application and system recovery discs, but my computer is not recognizing my cd drives as working.

Have you set the bios boot sequence to boot from the cdrom first?

Here is the MS KB article on your problem.

Good luck

[triciahp]

Can I use my laptop to recover my desktop?  My desktop won't recognize any cd drives that are installed on it, so no cd recovery discs will work.

[Dusty]

Can I use my laptop to recover my desktop? 

What do you mean by this?  If you mean boot from your desktop hdd, which you will have to connect to your laptop as an external usb mass storage device, the answer is probably no even if your laptop is capable of booting from a usb device.  By hooking up the desktop hdd to your laptop you could recover critical files before attempting to repair your registry which will likely involve the loss of some data files.

Have you set the bios boot sequence to boot from the cdrom first?

Please answer this question...