Windows 2000 Bootup problems - reinstall?

[Wooddy]

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.

 

[mBernhardt]

Using your install CD, boot to the recovery console. ([R]epair, then [C]onsole I think)

Anyway, you want the DOS-type prompt.

navigate to \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
then:

copy SYSTEM.BAK SYSTEM

reboot.

All better.

 

[jcortes]

also try a repair you dont even have do deal with those nasty dos commands

http://www.windows2000.windowsreinstall.com/emergencyfastrepairno/index.htm

 

[Win2kpatcher]

also try a repair you dont even have do deal with those nasty dos commands

http://www.windows2000.windowsreinstall.com/emergencyfastrepairno/index.htm

lol..agreed. Usually when one of these files goes it will just be a downhill pattern of other corrupt files and by in which time the OS could have been repaired