how to restore missing system 32 folder/file?

Da Mail Man

Da Mail Man

Active Member
greetings all,

....been a while since i have been here and that in itself is a good thing! (means no problems!)...have a friend in another state that is running a dell desktop, win xp pro, 3.4(?) ghz processor, 145gb hd(?), 2 gb (?) ram.....

....what happened is that he picked up a virus of some sort and while he was in the process of deleting it, he accidentally deleted his windows system 32 file in it's entirety!..don't ask me how he managed to do that!..ugh!....

...at any rate, his computer will start up but, will not boot into windows....HOW can he restart his computer and replace the missing deleted files if that is even possible?....he has a separate xp disc that has the O.S. for the computer...

..ANY assistance would be greatly appreciated!...THANKS AGAIN.
 
If he can boot in Safe Mode and its still in the recycle bin, just put it back. If not just do a repair install.
 
Assuming all the Viruses are now gone

He can run System Restore for Safe Mode Command Prompt (if that F8 screen is accessible)
He can run System Restore from booting from his XP CD and selecting the Recovery Console
Or he can run a Repair of Windows by selecting the second R prompt after booting from the XP CD

One last option would be to backup data and re-install clean
 
StrangleHold said:
If he can boot in Safe Mode and its still in the recycle bin, just put it back. If not just do a repair install.
Click to expand...

...thanks for the reply...i suggested that last night to him and he's going to give it a shot sometime today..however, if windows is damaged, how can he get into safe mode with his current and damaged win o.s.?

edited - additional; he grabbed his friends xp disc by mistake (exact same os, etc) and attempted to boot into that last night and his dell said something about "drivers not present" (or similar) and i THINK he was unable to continue any further. i suggested he find HIS os disc and go from there...i also suggestd he install a second hd , set as master, install fresh, and then see if he can access his data from "damaged" hard drive....that will be his last resort...
 
Last edited:
kimsland said:
Assuming all the Viruses are now gone

He can run System Restore for Safe Mode Command Prompt (if that F8 screen is accessible)
He can run System Restore from booting from his XP CD and selecting the Recovery Console
Or he can run a Repair of Windows by selecting the second R prompt after booting from the XP CD

One last option would be to backup data and re-install clean
Click to expand...

..thanks for the reply..a little tough to back up any data when windows is inaccessible and computer will not boot up don't ya think?...grin:)
 
Its likely he can't ;)

Please also suggest the System Restore option. More info HERE

Edit:
Oh I replied when you were replying to me
Please try the above first
Backup can be completed outside Windows via a bootable disc, such as a Linux live BootCD
 
kimsland said:
Its likely he can't ;)

Please also suggest the System Restore option. More info HERE

Edit:
Oh I replied when you were replying to me
Please try the above first
Backup can be completed outside Windows via a bootable disc, such as a Linux live BootCD
Click to expand...

**************************
 
Last edited:
I see you have replied to yourself twice then edited (in Bold) your first reply!

Sounds as though your friend will be doing the fresh install option
Please note that many "Dell's" have Restore discs
 
he has booted system and held down f8...comp says missing system 32 and config file(s)..no good..appears that the meer booting into what is existing is not working....(none of the choices)...he is now obtaining his orig os disc and with any luck, will try that shortly....
 
Da Mail Man I am finding it difficult to continue to help you with your multiple replies, and then with you going back and editing/deleting your replies

As you are aware of how to Edit your posts, I suggest that in future you Edit (further replies), and not reply to yourself
This will help you

System Restore can be started from the XP CD Recovery Console, I have previously posted a MS link to it
 
kimsland said:
Da Mail Man I am finding it difficult to continue to help you with your multiple replies, and then with you going back and editing/deleting your replies

As you are aware of how to Edit your posts, I suggest that in future you Edit (further replies), and not reply to yourself
This will help you

System Restore can be started from the XP CD Recovery Console, I have previously posted a MS link to it
Click to expand...


...look, i added some info that i forgot but i deemed relevant so, that is not a "sin"...and i deleted a reply that i MISTAKENLY replied to myself...so, leave this alone....if something someone says jogs my memory to add info to get the problem solved, i will edit.....
 
Thanks TFT but he's not talking (or mentioning) DOS
The C Prompt can be seen in both Windows and the Recovery Console
 
Just replacing the 32 folder will not work, the files from all the programs installed will still be gone. You could just pop the drive in another computer and get photos/music/movies Blah Blah Blah off that he wants. Then do a clean install.
 
StrangleHold said:
Just replacing the 32 folder will not work, the files from all the programs installed will still be gone. You could just pop the drive in another computer and get photos/music/movies Blah Blah Blah off that he wants. Then do a clean install.
Click to expand...

...thanks for the reply...that is what i suggested to him as a last resort...however, if it is not bootable will it be readable in another machine?
 
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