My computer won't start?

Question

Everytime it starts up, it doesn't go anywhere but it says that some file like WINDOWS/CONFIG32/SYSTEM/SETUP or something like that is either missing or corrupt.
My brother took my computer a week ago to fix someone else's hard drive and I didn't think he'd break it because he's on the Geek Squad but now it won't work.
And it says to press "r" to begin repair but everytime I do it just restarts and goes back to the same screen.
If he screwed my computer up, I'll seriously hurt him.
So how deep of crap is it in?
Will I be able to save my files without having to take it to a computer expert and pay a crapton of money?

Okay, I don't want to reformat it because I need my files.
It's an old Dell and it was my mom's before it was mine and I'm sure she's lost the CD.
Also, my brother borrowed it because he didn't want to use his own precious computer because then he wouldn't have one for himself.
I asked him to fix it and he tried but then it still didn't work and because he's such a jerkoff, he said that he couldn't do anything else (which is a lie, he just doesn't want to stop playing that stupid new X-Box 360 game).
It won't even let me get to the point of starting it in safe mode.
But my brother did mumble something of a software that will fix your Windows without losing your stuff.
Does anyone know what that is?

And as for not backing up my files, Freddie, I'm not the smartest person when it comes to computers.
No one ever gets on my computer besides me because everyone in my family has their own.
My mom said I should do it, but I'm only 16 and had no idea how to do that.
My brother took it from my room one day while I was in school without my permission.
So if anyone deserves to pay a lot of money to fix it, it's him.

Answer 1

Regardless of what your brother may or may not have done, let's just address the problem as it is.

The immediate symptom is that a file needed to start Windows has been corrupted. It is entirely possible that a repair of the Windows operating system will correct the problem; HOWEVER, the hard drive itself may be the cause of the problem in the first place. The hard drive may be wearing out. This does not mean that the files on that hard drive are not accessible.

There is a very simple (to computer guys/gals) old trick to get to these files. You remove your hard drive from your computer and add it as a second drive in another computer. Given that all computers involved are running Windows XP, there should be virtually no problem in your drive becoming readable. It will be there in "My Computer" as a second hard drive.

At this point, your personal files should be accessible.

One may ask, "If her hard drive is so bad that it can't run Windows, why would it magically work okay in another computer?" Valid question. Here is the answer: The hard drive in this case has only become partially defective. The defect is in reading the most used area of the hard drive: the Windows operating system. The personal files are not being continously accessed as Windows is and that physical part of the hard drive is likely still okay.

Once this is all straightened out, perhaps your brother would be kind enough to partition your new hard drive into two virtual hard drives: one for the Windows operating system and the other for your personal files. In that way, should Windows ever go bad again, you are able to reinstall the operating system all over again without endangering your personal files. That's how I have my system set up and even though I have had computer and virus and other problems, I have never lost a bit of my personal data.

Answer 2

OK, As soon as you turn on the computer, start hitting the F8 key until you get a screen which allows you to choose a method of starting your computer. If I remember there are three choices. One of them says something like "Use the last known successful configuration or some such language. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard highlight that choice and then press the enter key on your keyboard. Hopefully that will work. If that doesn't work, ask your brother to reformat since he is supposed to be the computer geek.

Answer 3

If you can boot the computer with your Windows Install disk, you can get to the recovery console.

Once you are there, you can type CHKDSK /F at the command prompt.

This may be able to find corrupted areas on the disk.

It sounds as if the hard drive may be failing and some areas are not readable.

If that's not the case, the file may be missing as it states.

It's possible you will be able to boot if the chkdsk can recover the disk.


AND IF YOU REFORMAT IT AS RECOMMENDED!!!

You will lose all your data for sure.
Just so you know.

Good luck

Answer 4

Uh oh. Do you have Windows XP? Why did your brother need to take YOUR hard drive to fix *someone else's* hard drive? I went through my own private hell about a month ago with Microsoft. My PC is old (2004) and I couldn't get into my Hotmail. A box came up with code on it, and I have a number for my server and they told me the dreaded words. "You're going to have to call Microsoft...." If you have any questions, please go to my 360 page. I hope someone who TRULY knows code can help. Good luck!

Answer 5

If its missing a file it can repair itself but you need the CD. If it's XP just boot to the XP CD by putting it in the CD tray before you start to boot and instead of choosing to install the OS choose the "repair" option. That should scan for missing or corrupt files and fix them.

Answer 6

All you need is a live CD like hackin9 or kanotix and a big external hard drive, but that's a rather complex method. You may be able to repair it if you have the windows CD still.

Have your bro fix it.

Answer 7

Computer Wont Start

Answer 8

You need to find a windows installation disk and boot from the disk to run the repair on your hard drive.

Answer 9

sounds like you have a killer bug problem!! best buy offer diagnoses for free by the geek squad so does curcuit city. but if your brother broke it then he needs to fix it and pay for it. if he's such a nerd then why didn't he use his own comp. to fix his friends problem?

Answer 10

I'm so sorry to tell you that you have to format your drive c: and in case of you have some important files on c: you can take your hard drive to one of your friends and copy your files there