VA10 Laptop

[Henry.j]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help. I originally encountered a problem with an on screen message (windows could not start because the following file is corrupt or missing) windows\system32\config\system I attempted to reboot from my cd rom drive using a Windows Recovery Disk (Fix it Yourself Bootable CD) this failed leaving me with the following on screen message (Operating System not found) From the previous feedback received from snowmonkey who gave me very useful information to say the least that I would be unable to boot from a CD since my Laptop is not setup to do this which is understandable since I also have a floopy disc and CD drive. It was suggested that I change the boot priority to enable me to boot from CD Rom. I have checked all my Sony documentation but to no avail. Can anyone give any information on how to do this? My windows are Windows XP Home Edition. Sony did supply a VA10 Recovery Disk but if I use this I will loose all data/installed programmes. The windows XP disk I have is SPI which contains the following which I saw from my on screen Home Computer (1) Install Windows XP (2) Install Windows Optional Windows Components (3) Perform Additional Tasks (4) Check System Compatibility
This CD may not be the one that would be required.
Can anyone assist with any info.

Regards,

Henry

[snowmonkey]

Hi Henry,

Check out your PM...I have send you another one.

Henry, just because you want to install a fresh copy of Windows XP, it doesn't mean you will loose everything (you will loose it if you are not careful though). With Sony recovery CD you WILL loose everything, because recovery CD are designed to reformat your drive and install a fresh copy (all recovery Cd do that).

You want to do a parallel install of Windows XP and a stand alone Windows XP will allow you to do that......now all you have to do is to manage to get around your BIOS and make your computer boot from CD instead of hard drive.....I really don't know how to reach out and do that for you

Here is a great URL that shows you how to do a parallel install of Windows XP:
http://www.windowsxphome.windowsrein...exfullpage.htm

I'll be checking my PM for your questions

Cheers