Switched the desktop on and it gives a corrupt message, then tells me to press r to repair.
But it won't do anything.

It says \windows\system32\config\system error

Won't even start in safe mode

Any suggestions?

Do you have a recent backup of files you want to keep? :(

In theory running the Windows setup from teh disc may be able to recover your system and repair it if selecting the correct options. Of course it may be typically helpful of Windows and decide on teh wrong options for you and wipe the disc! It's been a while since I've recovered a machine in that state.

What I would suggest is you take a backup now of what you can (plug hdd into another machine) and reinstall. If you want a hand with the removal/backup of the disc let me know.

I've got a recovery disc(its an old Time machine) but i can't even get that to boot up. I don't mind deleting everything on it tbh.

Is that recovery disc a hard disc partition or an optical disc?
If the latter, make sure your BIOS is setup to boot from CD/DVD drive.

It won't even let me get into safe mode to change the bios - i'm pressing f8 and all that crap anyway.

Is it XP? is it a recovery disk or a copy of XP? Do you have a copy of XP? If so, boot from it, press r when prompted to access the recovery console. Select the partition (usually press 1) At the prompt type chkdsk /r and press return. It should check and repair all system files. It might fix it, if not then it's a fresh install.

It won't even let me get into safe mode to change the bios - i'm pressing f8 and all that crap anyway.
Getting to BIOS should happen before Windows takes over. Safe mode is a windows thing.

As soon as you turn machine on hit [del]. F2 on some machines.

Switched the desktop on and it gives a corrupt message, then tells me to press r to repair.
But it won't do anything.

It says \windows\system32\config\system error

Won't even start in safe mode

Any suggestions?

search on forum for" help computer sulking" I ad the same problem and some of the answers may help you.

ok forgot about bios delete bit.
The recovery disc is literally the install disc that came with the machine, i also have xp disc as well.
Now i've "remembered" (cheers D) how to get to bios i'll try again.

doing a cleam install - which takes hours with this old recovery disc. Gotta learn how to make a more up to date version.

XP could probably fix it if you boot of the XP disk.

Cheers everyone - i've wiped it clean. Probably best as i can remove some clutter from it.
Only thing i lost was bookmarks but i xmarked my laptop and synched it across for most of them.