Computer crash

[CKY]

Hi guys, my other computer crashed last night telling me that my C:\WINDOWS\system32\config file is either missing or corrupted, Windows won't start, how do I get myself out of this? Also, I don't want to do a full reformat cuz theres things in there I need to make a copy of before I reformat and clear everything off. Advice?

[Xtrema]

But a USB enclosure and a new drive.

Put new drive in PC and build with OS.

Put old drive in USB enclosure, plug it to PC and get files off it. Then format.

[CKY]

Would this work if I just bought a new drive, swap that with the old one, start my comp up, n then just stick the old one back in?

[BerserkerCatSplat]

^That would also work, you would be able to access your old drive when Windows is installed on the new drive and you plus the old one back in as well.

[Davetronz]

Pending that your hard drive hasn't bit the dust the above would work fine...