I'm using windows xp pro
I've got a lite-on combo cd drive :E

Basically I tried 2 fix my e drive because it wasn't reading cds (on dvds) and I think I put a virus on my computer

When I tried 2 restart it came up with something like..
Windows cannot start up properly due to a recent hardware of software change
Please start windows using
Safe mode
Safe mode and networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Start using most recent settings
Or normally

All lead basically to the same error message
\windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt
Put in the original SETUP cd and press are at 1st screen to repair

Sooo basically I don't have the original disk
I don't mind formatting the hard drive and putting it back to windows 98se (which I have disks for)

I have tried using the system restore floppy and cd but the computer won't read the cd!

I don't know if getting a new cd drive will solve the problem?

Help?

Shaun

It sounds to me you have the wrong driver installed for that model DVD drive I would remove the drive from the system and see if windows would start then if it does then I would go to www.drivers.com and get the driver for that driver and reinstall the drive then when windows starts up again a say found new hardware tell it where to find the driver you downloaded. Be sure all the driver controller cables are plugged in tight and pin 1 on the cable goes to pin 1 on the drive. It is the driver that makes the drive read cds and dvds not the hardware if the drive is an older dvd drive then chances are it will only read -R discs not the +R discs

There are no drivers required for CD/DVD drives to be recognized by Windows. It would appear that you had a Registry coruption if we go by the error message that you received. If you have a good boot floppy that installs basic CDROM system files then you should be able to access the DVD drive, if not then the drive could be faulty... or your BIOS may not have DVD drive support.

It sounds to me you have the wrong driver installed for that model DVD drive I would remove the drive from the system and see if windows would start then if it does then i would go to www.drivers.com and get the driver for that driver and reinstall the drive then when windows starts up again a say found new hardware tell it where to find the driver you downloaded. Be sure all the driver controller cables are plugged in tight and pin 1 on the cable goes to pin 1 on the drive. It is the driver that makes the drive read cds and dvds not the hardware if the drive is an older dvd drive then chances are it will only read -R discs not the +R discs

Thanks for the answer, and if I could get further than the error message I would download a driver :) just need 2 figure out how to format it would a non working drive

I have seen this case before. You have a virus that has deleted a file in your regestry
There are very few ways to fix it.
Do you have a spare internal hard drive?
Or a windows operating system card?