I was trying to upload some photos to eBay from my Satellite A 15 and
it just wouldn't work. So I closed ZoneAlarm and SpywareDoctor and it
worked fine. Before turning both on again I opened an email - I have
Yahoo - not recognizing it was spam. Trying to delete the mail failed
repeatedly. After closing IE I found a cascade of messages:
"Thotkey.exe can't load PowrProf.dll". I tried to run AVG, but it did
not function anymore. I pulled the plug! Starting my laptop now I get
this message: "Windows could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\system32\config\SYSTEM. You can attempt
to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup
CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair. I get this
message, no matter in what mode - safe, safe with command prompt, last
known good configuration etc. etc. I try to. By booting and pushing F2
I get the "In Touch with Toshiba" screen, that let's me choose to boot
from CD-ROM. But doing so the Toshiba Recovery Disc offers me only to
erase the contents of the hard drive and replace it by the default
system. This I wouldn't mind if I could manage before to copy somehow
(on DOS level?) the contents of  the "My Documents" folder to an
external drive I own. Or is there another way to get whatever infected
my pc of it? I do know that Thotkey.exe is a genuine Toshiba file and
PowrProf.dll is a Windows file.

---

Clarification of Question by willnix-ga on 05 Sep 2005 16:23 PDT

I need to add: I can get to the BIOS setup. When canceling with F2 to
install the default system from the Toshiba CD I get an A:\> prompt,
though I do not have an A drive (floppy disk). A:\> dir shows COMAND
COM, AUTOEXEC BAT, GETQ BAT, BIN <DIR>, CONFIG SYS.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 05 Sep 2005 17:23 PDT

Hi willnix

Have a look at the directions at Kellys Korner:

Cannot Start Windows XP if the System or Software Hive Is Missing or
Damaged (Q303012)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Please let us know how that goes.

Good luck!
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by willnix-ga on 06 Sep 2005 02:15 PDT

Thanks hummer, but so far I haven't managed to get to the recovery
console, though I studied all the links and directions from the
article. I must say, I did not create a boot disk, I just have the
Toshiba Setup CD. I tried to get from the A:\> prompt to C:\ following
my old DOS 6.22 manual and work from there, but can't do it? regards -
willnix

---

Clarification of Question by willnix-ga on 19 Sep 2005 21:37 PDT

Well, thanks again ,blusynapse,
though it, yes, was a long drawn process, it worked out fine. The
repair function did not work. I also did run all of my protective
software. Registry Mechanic found 17 errors, fixed them, but still
nothing worked. so I did a clean new install and got rid of o lot of
old clutter this way, too. Thanks - willnix!

Hi willnix.

Working ur way around at the Dos prompt is pretty much hopeless.

I faced a similar problem on my Toshiba Laptop, and heres what i suggest u do -

1) Get hold of a Windows XP CD. (Yes, an XP cd, and not ur toshiba rescue set)

2) Install WinXP on a new folder. (You seem to be an expert so you
shouldnt have a problem with this). Call the folder something
different from your original "Windows" folder. You will be able to
specify this folder name while the XP installation is going on. You
wont need to do any preparation before you start the installation.
Just pop in the XP installation cd, and boot from cd using the F2
method u mentioned, or else you can always change the boot priority
from your BIOS settings. Keep your existing drives and folders intact.

3) You should be able to boot into ur new XP smoothly, and now access
your "My Documents" and any other files, which were on your old
Desktop or any other location. (Your desktop files can be accessed by
browsing in your old "Windows" folder).

4) Rescue all your files. Do this to ur external drive, or a CD-R if u
have a writer on your laptop. In case of ur external drive, i suppose
u might have to install its drivers, unless its a thumb drive.

5) Now use the Toshiba rescue cds and do a clean install. Dont depend
on the XP u just installed manually - it wont be advisable because you
will not be able to install all the system drivers cleanly from the
toshiba cd set.

Its a long drawn process, but it will work..

Good luc to you :)

Incidentally, you might wanna try the Repair option too. If it works,
then good for you. Boot from a Win XP installation cd, and press 'r'
like you mentioned. I dont remember the process of repair very well,
but its worth a shot.

Hi blusynapse,

this sounds very promising! I let you know if it works out, as soon as
I can get a Windows XP CD.

Thanks a lot - willnix