Sal: Not your typical booting issue? (General Computing)
I think I have a very odd computer case here, but maybe not.
Basic info: I'm using Windows XP Professional.

I've done hours of research on this but I am still unsure of a proper course of action.
I had (or may still have) a problem booting my computer, with an error message that read "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\system"
I know this is fairly common and that there's a way to fix the problem by inserting the Setup CD (which I don't have) and yada-yada-yada… I also read that there is an alternate way by creating your own booting CD or something with Linux and having something to do with MS-DOS.

Alright, so basically my computer was unbootable for about a month. Then one morning I gave it a shot in the dark and tried it. To my disappointment, I got the same error message. However, I left the error message up for a few hours and returned to the computer. Upon my return I selected 'r' as it says to if you have the CD-ROM (which I didn't) and magically my computer started up like nothing was ever wrong with it. Which leaves me totally bewildered, yet grateful, for I had extremely important documents on it which I have now saved to a flashdrive.
Is there any explanation behind this? Perhaps the file is not corrupt after all? I know it's not missing because I tried to access it. (Is that a bad thing?) I entered the name of the file into the open text box called "Run" and I tried opening the file with Adobe Reader but I got an error message that said that the file was unable to be opened because it was already open or in use by another application. Now, what does that mean? Is the file not meant to be accessed? Do I not have permission?
Two final questions…
First, since my computer recovered from this serious error, does that mean the problem is over? I'm afraid to restart or shut off the computer just in case this problem isn't gone.
And lastly… if the file really is corrupt, is there any way that I could fix it while being on the computer instead of going through the Recovery Console?

I know that's a mouthful, but I would really appreciate any help.
Oh, I think I may have a problem with my Adobe flashplayer, too. But that's for later.

Music and the Environment
Digital music. Is it better for the environment to buy CDs or to download music to an i-Pod or MP3 player?

LED Light USB Tube Speaker
This glowing tube-shaped USB speaker connects to MP3 and CD players, PDAs and other digital products using a standard 3.5mm stereo audio plug. Features: Powered by USB Built-in blue LED light tube Stereo sound Can be connected to PC/Notebook/MP3/CD player Dimension: Tube ~ 150 x 45 x 45mm, , Base ~ 72 x 78 x 25mm Weight: 160g The USB LED Light Tube […]