Also, as a secondary solution, is there any way to repair this problem without the Windows XP boot disk on hand?

Have you been installing any new devices lately? Printer, CD/DVD-drive, USB-devices? There is a slight chance this could be the problem.

The solution to this is to reboot the PC, during startup, tap F2 to access BIOS. If "Boot from USB-device" is an option in boot sequence, disable it. I will not guarantee this to solve your problem.

 

Yes there is a way to copy all your files to an external HDD. I would have pulled out the HDD from the macine and put it in a USB-housing. Connect this by USB-cable to another PC. See if you can access your files.

 

If not, there is a way doing it, but it is a bit time consuming. Reply here and I can explain howto if you want to.

You do need a Windows XP disk to correct this error. You can borrow one if it's the same version of XP. Here's the article with the solution: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822705/en-us

Thank you very much for your posts. It turns out that the files were being corrupted simply because the hard drive itself is going bad. I did connect it directly to another computer and began extracting files from it. Unfortunately, the My Documents folder in which I have stored most of my work is corrupted, and I can't access it. I know there are programs out there designed for data recovery from corrupted directories, but is there any way to do this without shelling out $70?

You need to take ownership of all the files.

 

First you need to open explorer, not Internet Explorer. There you open "Tools" and navigate to "Folder Options" Then open the "View" tab. Navigate to ""Display simple folder view in Explorer's Folder list" uncheck this. Click "Apply" then "Ok".

 

Further steps ar explained here

 

You dont need to start in "Safe Mode"

Run as normal. Connect the HDD to the machine and follw the steps explained in the link.

If you manage to take ownership and access the forlders, you just need to copy it to where you want it.

 

I should warn you though, the process of taking ownership is time consuming. You have time to make yourself a cup of coffe. :)

 

Good luck.

I am not certain that it is because it is corrupted. It does actually seem more likely that it's because I don't have permission to access it on the other computer. What is the workaround?

Are you positively sure you cannot access that folder because of it is corrupted?

It could be you dont have the rights to it. This since you had the admin rights on it. Could be you cant access it now because of that.

If this is the issue, there is a workaround.

The tech place I was at had some policy against changing security settings and would not let me borrow their usb-sata cable. So, I'm going to have to order one for myself and see what I can do. Thank you so much for your help. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thats fine. Hope it works out well. And the HDD is not corrupted and that you will be able to restore your files.

 

Could be you also need a new HDD if you are planning on reinstall your system. Your system is not that old and can run for some time still.

Same situation happened to me last month.  I wasn't sure what to do until I spoke to one of the guys at work and he loaned me his Winternals CD to go into windows system to use the troubleshooting tools it includes.  I really didn't have to troubleshoot after I had windows boot from the CD-ROM, Winternals opened up with a message stating that "windows\system32\config\system was corrupt and has been repaired".  I was pretty happy that it was that simple.

 

...until 3-weeks later I started having programs not opening and eventually disappearing.  I thought my system had been compromised.  After troubleshooting with forums with my problems and downloading Wester Digitals HD tools, I realized that my HD was dying.  Then, one of those nights I turned off the PC and next day would not reboot.

 

Not sure if this is the same thing happening to you, but with no risk, make an OS backup and save important files to external devices if possible.  I'm in the process of trying to get everything else back on my new HD and trying to update.

 

Best of Luck to you

Glad it worked out for you. Hopefully the files you did not get, were not essential.

 

As to what irishscott says, it is allways a good idea to backup your system on a regurally basis.

Hey oddvarr -

 

My USB/SATA cable came in and I managed to take ownership of the directory, which took even longer than your warning prepared me for. Sure enough, everything was still there. I was able to save nearly everything, although a few files were actually corrupt. Thank you very much for your idea; I had never heard of this strategy. To anyone else that reads this: make frequent backups of your hard drive to save yourselves a great deal of time and angst (and about $20).