corrupted or missing configsys

[logo5961]

Hello everybody, i am running windows xp pro with sp2. At the moment it will not boot because "the following file is missing or corrupt windows\system32\config system". When i try to repair using my windows cd as it advises it says that the version of windows on the cd is older than the version on the pc and reinstalling windows will remove all existing files. There is data on my pc i do not want to lose. Does anybody know a way to get around this without reinstalling and losing my data. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[nickc]

If the CD you are using to repair is the pro with sp1 or without a sp you can use it to repair the install and you will not loose anything but just that and then all you will need to do is go to windows update and reupdate Windows.
I hope this helps

 

[logo5961]

Thanks nickc, the cd i have is just winXP pro without any SP. Luckily i have the SP2 downloaded on a separate cd so that should save some time updating after repair

 

[RealBlackStuff]

Is that the message where it says config.nt missing or not compatible?
Try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324767