Windows XP won't start correctly because \system32\config file is missing or corrupted. Tried to start in safe mode with command prompt but it doesn't work. Went to Best Buy (where I bought the pc) and asked their help desk...the guy told me that this error indicates a problem with a driver and to do a "soft restore" by hitting the F10 key. I'm in there, at the beginning, but am worried I'll lose all my files....can anyone advise me if this will "safely" restore my pc?

Thanks in advance.

Does it tell you that you will lose all your files?

You can try a repair install of XP. You will definently not lose anything that way.

Do you have a C drive and a D drive? If so you can reformat only the C drive. Assuming that you have a D drive and your documents are on that drive, they will still be there when you reformat C. I just did mine not too long ago.