Is the Dell Windows Xp Reinstallation disc also for recovery?

[SocialNutter]

Hi,

My computer has been victim to a malware attack (exactly as described here: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Windows-XP-Logs-Then-Immediately-Logs-Off-t15771.html ) and while I have the Windows XP reinstallation disc which was supplied with my laptop, I'm unsure whether this is the same as the recovery disc talked about in the thread. I don't want to reinstall the OS as obviously I can't back up any of my files - does anyone know if the reinstallation CD also contains a recovery option?

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

If the CD says Dell Windows XP (Home or Pro) CD, it will get you to the Recovery Console.

 

[Bearbacker54]

Grumpy,
I have had the same problem with a few differences.
My computer is a Dell Vostro 400 desktop.

It became infected and I managed to remove the problem using Malware Bytes.
The system ran okay for a few days but seemed a bit laggy until finally right in the middle of viewing a webpage, the system shut down and would not reboot.

I have run the diagnostic and received the error message "Windows could not start because the followig file is missing or corrupt:
WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM."

I am not really computer literate so I hesitate to use the reinstallation CD if it means loosing everything on my C drive.

Can you just confirm it is safe to use this disc or do I need to get a copy of the orignal XP disc which I do not have?
The reinstallation disc reads - Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Guest]

Yes, you can use that disk to get into a Recovery Console. See this discussion about fixing a corrupted registry: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=45&post=244575&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=&trash_post=&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

 

[Bearbacker54]

Thanks Grumpt,
I'll give it a try when I get home from work this evening.