To everyone who's responded..........Many thanks for such valuable
information.

I've scanned HDD for virus's etc but nothing. System Volume Information
file is inaccessible so..........

I've installed his HDD on USB test rig and inspected files & structure.
Looks a bit of a mess. To be honest I believe best option would be save all
his documents & photo's etc, reformat and re-install. There are many many
program files, multiple printer installs etc still listed which I know he in
no longer using.

I'm going to recommend this to him and take it from there. Once again, many
thanks to you all

"barrowhill" wrote in message
...
Friend has asked for help having just dropped off his emachines 3240
desktop after falling for Microsoft support scam. He can't believe he
fell for it and feels a complete idiot.

System (XP Home) now no longer boots as C:/Windows/system32/config/system
file is indicated as missing or corrupt

Cannot use recovery console as asking for administrators password which is
unknown

Cannot resort to last known good configuration as get BSOD error 0x09A
(System license Violation)

Cannot get to safe mode or command prompt ditto system file

Cannot repair windows installation as this option not given.

can anyone help with suggestions as to best way forward. Re-install is
last resort. I there a way round recovery console password ??