Windows 2000 Bootup problems - reinstall?

[Branda78]

Hello:

I have a laptop with Windows 2000 and get the following error message when I bootup:

"Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"


I wish to recover the data (files) from the hard drive. When I try reinstalling windows, i get the following message:

The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned space on this computer. Use the up and down arrows to select an item on this list:

-to set up Windows 2000 on the selected items, press enter
-to create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C
-to delete the selected partition, press D

19078 MB disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on atapi
C: NTFS 19072 MB (7756 MB free)


I am unsure which option to choose. I want to keep the existing data on the hard drive and not erase it. Will one of the 3 options above be able to fix my bottup problem, while still keeping the existing data?

Thanks.

[MadKad]

All them options will make you loose your data, when you put the insterlation CD in for windows does it give you an option for repairing the windows?

if so then you would need to know what the exact file is thats mising and not do an auto repair, the repair you would need to do will ask for administration password etc etc, if no one has set it then it should be just blank and you should get in, this will then take you to a black screen there you will have to repair the system.

also just to make sure, is the screen with the error msg blue?

[Whatcha]

http://support.microsoft.com/?KBID=269075
Worth a read.

How techincal are u. One way round is boot up from a floppy with network support and copy of the files from a remote pc

[Whatcha]

To be honest thought using Option 1 and reinstalling can work just select a different install directory. It should tell u wether it will overwrite the data or not. What ever u do do not delete the partition!!!!!!!

[Whatcha]

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/...823/22823.html

Looks like a good step by step guide if it is a hive problem

[MadKad]

lol yer you could use step one, on a different partition then get what you need from the old partition and then delete that one

[ColinM]

I don't know about you guys... but I've had this exact problem a month ago and the culprit was a bad memory chip.

Took it out and the OS flew like a blackbird. Maybe you should at least try checking out the RAM chips?