windows xp wont start - missing file? help

[gixer1100]

well when i turn it on i am getting a missing file. its something like windows\system32\config (i think thats it) anyway it wont load windows. sooo i spoke to the guy at best buy and he said i would have to load my current harddrive onto another computer, transfer my stuff to the other computer then reload windows, and put my stuff back on my hard drive. (but i dont have another computer that i can use) so i have a couple of questions.

1. is it possible for me to buy a new hard drive, pull my old one out and put the new one in my computer. then hook up the old one as a slave drive (how would i go about that anyway?) and retrieve my files that way? i figure at least that way i will have more disk space witht he 2 dives combined and would have gotten something for my $

2. he also said i could get an external harddrive and transfer my stuff to it and reload windows, but then he said i couldnt because my system wont start so there would be no way to do that. true or not?

can anyone point me in the right direction to deal with this? thanks

ok another question

lookin at hard drives, whats the difference between a retail harddrive and a bare one? which would i need to do this little fix?

 

[AWS]

Why not just put the XP cd in the cd drive and boot from it?
Do a repair install and it will replace the corrupt file preserving all your files and settings. You could also use the repair console to replace the file or start with a msdos disk with cd support and copy the missing file from the cd.
It would be cheaper and easier than buying another hard drive. The person at Best Buy is trying to make the commision of selling you a drive you don't need.

 

[phreakwars]

If your gonna buy a new drive and use the old one as a slave, why bother trying to save everything in such a long process ?? Just install the OS on the new drive.

I mean, if there is important data on the old drive now, then it would be nothing to use it as a slave and just pull what you need off of it after the new drive is installed. Of course, PROGRAMS on the old drive would need to be reinstalled, but thats usually the case if you do a repair too, just depends.

There are many options here, just depends on what you want out of the OS. And why you feel you need another drive.. I agree with Bob here, don't listen to the guy at Best Buy™, its his job to get you to buy something. How much of a hard drive do you have now (How many gig) and how do you use your computer mainly. My aunt, was one of those too, who insisted she needed or had to have a bigger drive then the 40 gig one I was gonna put in the machine I built for her. So against my recommendations, I installed a 120 gig drive. I did some maintenance on her machine last week, after almost 2 years, she has not even used 5 gigs. A waste of money if you ask me.

This is why I ask. Your situation may very well be different.

And on a side note, have you concidered buying from newegg.com instead ??

They have a better selection and better prices. I've used them for years. NEVER had a problem, even with a defective part, they RMA real quick. And have an excellent return/replace policy and turn around time.
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[gixer1100]

i am using about 52 of my 60 GB hard drive right now. i mainly use it for pictures, media, some games, internet - very general stuff (actually i have no idea why its so full, lol) i figure i am going to have to go with another new drive and reinstall the OS on it then connect the old drive as a slave (and scan it for a virus which may have caused this - i am not sure) i needed the new space anyway having it so full has slowed it down quite a bit. i dont mind reinstalling programs, some of the ones my old hard drive i didnt use anymore anyway. so starting with a new clean slate that will run faster kind of appeals to me as well. thanks for help.

anyone have any good advice on how to hook the old HD up as a slave?

 

[phreakwars]

First of all, don't hook it up to the chain until AFTER you installed the New drive and OS, I have seen many a people accidently wipe there old drive when attempting this. So I usually tell them to KEEP THE OLD DRIVE OUT, its about the best advice I can give any level of user. Other then that, its pretty easy, the MAIN drive will go on the end of the IDE ribbon, the slave drive in the middle, make sure your jumpers are set on the drives, and your good to go.

If using a Western Digital drive, REMOVE the jumper on it for a single drive, and replace it for dual. Depends on the BRAND you use too, you need to be more specific for an exact answer.
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[gixer1100]

no i dont plan to hook up the old one until the new one is up and running. as far as loading programs, will i have to load EVERY program, like windows explorer etc etc. or will some of these load with the OS. also as far as my internet connection will it still stay or will i need to do things to re connect that as well. i plan on getting a western digital 160GB drive ATA/100.

 

[phreakwars]

No, explorer comes with it, If I were you though, I'd find all the UPDATED drivers for EVERYTHING and burn them to a CD. Just makes it all go quicker in the end.. expecially your NIC driver. Most of the time XP knows what it is, but its good to have on a cd/floppy just in case. as long as you have net access, downloading other drivers is no big deal.

Use belarc advisor to give you a rundown of your hardware.
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[gixer1100]

i hope i dont sound like an idiot here, but where do i find the updated drivers. and what do you mean by NIC, and also what other drivers do you mean?

 

[phreakwars]

By NIC I mean your network interface card. Most motherboards today have them built in, some don't. Its the jack that looks like a telephone jack, but wider, unless of course, you use a USB cable for internet, then of course make sure you have that cd/floppy handy.

Usually the best place to get your updated drivers is from the manufacturer. But myself, when it comes to things like the video card. I'd rather get them from ATI or Nvidia, whichever you have. Unless you have a legacy (older) type card like a voodoo or something like that, then you would need to search around a bit.

www.driversguide.com has a pretty good database, usually I only need that site though for things like modems and such.
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[gixer1100]

ok, i have the new hard drive in and windows installed. i also have r=the old drive hooked up as slave, and the computer is recognizing the drive BUT, i cant find the files i want to take off the old drive!i cant find my pics/vieos. etc etc. i have it set to show all folders but i still cant find them. any ideas on what i need to do, because i dont have any clue,lol.

 

[phreakwars]

Look under

"x":\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents

"X" being the letter of the old hard drive.

"x":\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Favorites
will have all your bookmarks

"x":\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{9B21676A-0A49-4222-933F-4E168A293974}\Microsoft\Outlook Express
will have your E-mails

If you need further assistance with this, and use WINDOWS MESSENGER, you can add phreakwars@hotmail.com as a contact, and I can do a remote assist for you and help you transfer the files where you need them. (time permitting for me of course).
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[gixer1100]

i get the message "access is denied" when i try to open my folder under documents, and when i put the mouse over it, it says the folder is empty (i know it wasnt). i used to have to use a password to access my side (if thats an accurate description - when i signed onto the computer) of the computer if that matters at all.

 

[phreakwars]

You need to take ownership of the old hard drive and the folders to access it.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

AIN'T THIS FUN !!!
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[gixer1100]

hey i got it! thanks a lot for the help and the link. i am pretty sure i wouldnt have gotten it otherwise. thanks again for the help with all this, its greatly appreciated!!