Cannot start PC–WINDOWS\System32\Config file error!?

November 15, 2009

I cannot start Windows on my PC! I get an error message reading:

"Windows cannot start because "C:\WINDOWS\System32\config." is corrupted or missing. Insert original Setup CD-Rom and press ‘r’ at setup to begin repair."

I have looked at the software that I recieved when I got my computer (it was given to me by my neighbor two years ago), and I cannot find the original Setup CD-ROM, and I can’t get the others to run at all. I have gone to dell’s support website on another computer and tried their suggestions, which did not work. I tried the command-line string, but I can’t input anything. I’ve tried looking on here for solutions, and attempted what I found, but nothing’s worked so far.

Please help, it was working perfectly fine on Thursday evening, but on Friday, this problem began. I do not know what is causing it. To be able to get the best help, here are the details of my operating system:

Manufacturer: Dell
Edition: Windows Media Center Edition
Software Package: Microsoft Office Windows XP 2000
Year Manufactured (guesstimate): 2001
Virus/Malware/Spyware Protection Software: Avast!, Super AntiSpyware, Spybot: Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware.

I need to resolve this quickly, please. Any suggestions you may have will be tried, and are *very* welcome! Thank you very much to anyone who can help me!

What is the best way to clean a Windows XP computer that’s SEVERELY infected with viruses?

September 18, 2009

My neighbor asked me if I could help her with her computer problem. She has an HP desktop running windows XP that has become virtually useless due to viruses. It takes forever to do anything and it constantly freezes, and it can’t even be turned off. It has Norton antivirus, but it’s expired and it won’t even run because the thing freezes. The modem activity led shows constant activity (!?), and one can get online. I was thinking that maybe there is an online program that’ll check it and hopefully clean it? (It appears that her relatives also use the computer, and they have used programs downloaded from the internet, including such risky apps like LimeWire)
Any input will be appreciated.