[Ham-Computers] WIN XP HOME PROBLEM

[Don]

HI ALL
first I am fairly computer literate
second I have not loaded sp2

background
when the system wants to boot it tells me the following file is missing
c:\windows\system32\config\system

so I put in ye old back up drive and figure I will copy it..that's a no go as when system boots the system file is in use.
is there any way to copy the file

I do not want to lose ANY DATA (yes I have back ups about a week old) but is there any way to reinstall windows 
with out losing the data

open to suggestions here

thanks for any time and consideration you spend on my behalf
appreciate it REALLY


"All the weather that's fit to watch, even if its not fit to be out in"
http://www.angelfire.com/ms2/paswx  REAL TIME OBS SITE
http://www.jcmsara.org  Ham radio & Hamfest link
Peace Through Superior Firepower


Don
KB5FHX