Thank you in advance for any replies, it appears that somehow, registry files have gone missing from my pc. i have tried to reformat using my xp disc, but it does not recognise my d(cd ) drive,so is unable to read from the disc.
a yellow asterisk is shown against the d drive in the system list,it says drivers are installed when i click properties,
i am at a loss how to reformat,without the cd drive working,i have no floppy facility on the pc,
any advice would be appreciated thank you

Welcome to SAF ;

Tell us what you have in your BIOS boot sequence?

Thank you for the welcome Moon,#

I forgot to add that i am not very experienced with computers,and i am not sure what a bios sequence is,or where to look for it, iwould be grateful for any help you can give me thanks .

Restart your computer and it should go thru a memory test followed by an IDE scan so during same you can hit (usually) the delete button to get into your motherboard BIOS controls but look around for yours, it should tell tell you at the bottom.

Once in your BIOS, go to says "CMOS" in it. NOTE: Most BIOS' have a quick-referance at the bottom telling you how to navigate, save and exit, and exit without saving. Use it! Make sure you know how to exit
with and without saving.

Look around the CMOS menu till you find First, Second, Third, and possible more depending on your board, boot devices. You can edit them from there.

I cant give you more detailed info, as I dont know your specific board and BIOS.........

Hiya, well i have managed to get into the bios, it says boot from cd for first boot device,
I have been trying to use the windows troubleshooter and have come up with this message,....(Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19) )..............that is related to my dvd drive
i hope this is of some help to you thanks, Barry