Whoops, I hit enter too soon.

I was operating my computer when the power went out. When I started my computer back up, I recieve a message that Windows/System32/System (something like that) is corrupt or missing. It tells me to insert a windows cd and run a repair.

However, Dell Dimension 8400s don't come with recovery CD's. I've been trying everything, but nothing works, even windows xp cd's wont work because of the stupid SATA Hard drive. I even DL'd the drivers for the SATA Hard drive, but the windows xp recovery keeps freezing at random points in the process.

Is there any way to repair my Windows without having to wipe everything? I am EXTREMELY dissastisfied with Dell's lack of support for my issue. I called Tech Support, and the hardware guy told me my Harddrive was fine, and that the Software Dept. would help me recover things but I would have to pay them. What, my $1200 for a computer wasn't enough?!?! You can bet I won't be purchasing a Dell ever again, especially since they are holding my files hostage.

Any help guys?

almahdikafir,

You may have been able to generate an operating system CD when your computer was able to boot to Windows (see this. However, since you can no longer do so, see if calling Dell Customer Service can get you an XP CD (see this).

The hard drive problem may be resolved here so that you can use the procedure here to correct the original problem.