Can't Boot/Can't Find Install Disks

Guest · Jan 26, 2005

I've got Win 2000 on my PC but can't boot. I'm getting: Windows 2000 could
not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I have a laptop with WinXP (never had the disks for that) and will install
that if I can somehow copy the files or something. I don't know much about
all of this, except of course, I found my way here.

Needy

Dave Patrick · Jan 26, 2005

If the system hive is corrupt, and assuming you already tried LKG (F8 and
choose Last Known Good), It may be possible to rename the system hive found
in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer: drive
root, %systemroot% or %windir%

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| I've got Win 2000 on my PC but can't boot. I'm getting: Windows 2000 could
| not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
| \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
|
| I have a laptop with WinXP (never had the disks for that) and will install
| that if I can somehow copy the files or something. I don't know much about
| all of this, except of course, I found my way here.
|
| Needy

Steve Parry [MVP] · Jan 26, 2005

Needy fumbled, fiddled and fingered:

I've got Win 2000 on my PC but can't boot. I'm getting: Windows 2000
could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I have a laptop with WinXP (never had the disks for that) and will
install that if I can somehow copy the files or something. I don't
know much about all of this, except of course, I found my way here.

Needy

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822705

&

http://tinyurl.com/57hj2

hope that helps?

Guest · Jan 29, 2005

The LKG step didn't work. Since I don't have the system disks or floppys any
longer, I can't use them. Is there anyway I copy the necessary start up files
from another system?

Still Needy

Dave Patrick · Jan 29, 2005

The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom;
change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe
(from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.

But better to just boot the CD-Rom to start the RC.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| The LKG step didn't work. Since I don't have the system disks or floppys
any
| longer, I can't use them. Is there anyway I copy the necessary start up
files
| from another system?
|
| Still Needy

Guest · Jan 30, 2005

Alas, nothing has worked. But I was able to get to the DOS screen. Right now I
have:

C:\WINNT>

Is there anything I can do from there to recover. (Again, my computer
literacy rivals Giligan's)

Thanks,
Less Needy

Dave Patrick · Jan 30, 2005

Yes follow the instructions I gave you to replace the damaged hive file.

It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
C:\winnt\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
C:\winnt\repair\system
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Alas, nothing has worked. But I was able to get to the DOS screen. Right
now I
| have:
|
| C:\WINNT>
|
| Is there anything I can do from there to recover. (Again, my computer
| literacy rivals Giligan's)
|
| Thanks,
| Less Needy

Guest · Jan 31, 2005

Dave,

It appears all else has failed. As a last resort you mention " to copy/ use
the

original-as-installed system hive from
C:\winnt\repair\system
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system"

How 'exactly' do I copy and use? What are the commands I need from the
C:\WINNT> prompt?

Thanks again,

Dave Patrick said:
Yes follow the instructions I gave you to replace the damaged hive file.

It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
C:\winnt\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
C:\winnt\repair\system
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Alas, nothing has worked. But I was able to get to the DOS screen. Right
now I
| have:
|
| C:\WINNT>
|
| Is there anything I can do from there to recover. (Again, my computer
| literacy rivals Giligan's)
|
| Thanks,
| Less Needy

Dave Patrick · Jan 31, 2005

Try these two commands.

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system system.old
copy C:\winnt\repair\system C:\winnt\system32\config

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Dave,
|
| It appears all else has failed. As a last resort you mention " to copy/
use
| the
| > original-as-installed system hive from
| > C:\winnt\repair\system
| > to
| > C:\winnt\system32\config\system"
|
| How 'exactly' do I copy and use? What are the commands I need from the
| C:\WINNT> prompt?
|
| Thanks again,

Guest · Jan 31, 2005

Ok, I think the file I needed to copy in REPAIR was system.bak. But the same
error message appears when I try to reboot.

Needy said:
Dave,

It appears all else has failed. As a last resort you mention " to copy/ use
the

original-as-installed system hive from
C:\winnt\repair\system
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system"

Click to expand...

How 'exactly' do I copy and use? What are the commands I need from the
C:\WINNT> prompt?

Thanks again,

Dave Patrick said:

Yes follow the instructions I gave you to replace the damaged hive file.

It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
C:\winnt\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
C:\winnt\repair\system
to
C:\winnt\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Alas, nothing has worked. But I was able to get to the DOS screen. Right
now I
| have:
|
| C:\WINNT>
|
| Is there anything I can do from there to recover. (Again, my computer
| literacy rivals Giligan's)
|
| Thanks,
| Less Needy

Click to expand...

Dave Patrick · Jan 31, 2005

Normally there would be no file named system.bak in the repair folder. When
you get done then also from the command line;

dir C:\winnt\system32\config
dir C:\winnt\repair\system

to verify that the file exists and that you copied it correctly by comparing
the date/time stamp of the system file.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Ok, I think the file I needed to copy in REPAIR was system.bak. But the
same
| error message appears when I try to reboot.
|
| "Needy" wrote:

Guest · Feb 2, 2005

Took a break from this headache yesterday,

In C:\winnt\system32\config I have the following system files
1. System.log
2. System.sav
3. System.alt
4. System.bak

That's all I've got. There does not seem to be "System" without something at
the end

Dave Patrick · Feb 2, 2005

Then try in this order.

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt system
if it fails then
rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system system.old
copy C:\winnt\repair\system C:\winnt\system32\config

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Took a break from this headache yesterday,
|
| In C:\winnt\system32\config I have the following system files
| 1. System.log
| 2. System.sav
| 3. System.alt
| 4. System.bak
|
| That's all I've got. There does not seem to be "System" without something
at
| the end

Guest · Feb 2, 2005

Here are my painful results:

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt system
"A directory or file with the name SYSTEM already exists"

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system system.old
"The system cannot find the file or directory specified"

Is this DOS coding case sensitive?; I've been using ALL CAPS when I make my
entries..

Thanks again

Dave Patrick · Feb 3, 2005

No not case sensitive. From the command line;

dir C:\winnt\system32\config
dir C:\winnt\repair

and post the result.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Here are my painful results:
|
| rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.alt system
| "A directory or file with the name SYSTEM already exists"
|
| rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system system.old
| "The system cannot find the file or directory specified"
|
| Is this DOS coding case sensitive?; I've been using ALL CAPS when I make
my
| entries..
|
| Thanks again

Guest · Feb 4, 2005

Thanks so much for helping with this.... Here are the results for the first
(WHEW!):

dir C:\winnt\system32\config

10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 .
10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 ..
06/19/01 12:59p -a------ 139264 USERDIFF
01/30/05 12:33a -a-h---- 507904 SYSTEM.LOG
01/24/05 12:17a -a-h---- 65536 SOFTWARE.LOG
01/24/05 12:15a -a-h---- 1024 DEFAULT.LOG
06/19/01 12:59p -a-h---- 1024 USERDIFF.LOG
06/19/01 12:59p -a-h---- 0 TEMPKEY.LOG
06/19/01 12:59p -a------ 356352 SYSTEM.SAV
06/19/01 12:59p -a------ 540672 SOFTWARE.SAV
06/19/01 12:59p -a------ 81920 DEFAULT.SAV
06/19/01 12:59p -a------1966080 SECURITY
01/24/05 12:17a -a-h---- 1024 SECURITY.LOG
01/24/05 12:16a -a------3039232 SYSTEM.ALT
01/24/05 12:16a -a------ 20480 SAM
01/24/05 12:16a -a-h---- 1024 SAM.LOG
01/24/05 12:17a -a------21995520 SOFTWARE
01/24/05 12:15a -a------ 176128 DEFAULT
10/18/01 10:38a -a------ 65536 SecEvent.Evt
01/24/05 12:15a -a------ 524288 SysEvent.Evt
01/24/05 12:15a -a------ 524288 AppEvent.Evt
10/18/01 10:38a -a------ 2781184 SYSTEM.BAK
22 file(s) 32788480 bytes
27728445440 bytes free

Guest · Feb 4, 2005

Here are the results for the second (not quite as bad):

dir C:\winnt\repair

10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 .
10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 ..
10/18/01 10:12a -a------ 142435 SETUP.LOG
06/19/01 01:07p -a------ 522908 SECSETUP.INF
06/19/01 01:09p -a------5857280 SOFTWARE
06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 122880 DEFAULT
06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SECURITY
06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SAM
06/19/01 01:06p -a-h---- 122880 NTUSER.DAT
05/08/01 07:00a -a------ 438 AUTOEXEC.NT
06/19/01 01:06p -a------ 2577 CONFIG.NT
10/18/01 10:38a -a------2781184 system.bak
12 file(s) 9585350 bytes
27728445440 bytes free

WOW!!!

Dave Patrick · Feb 5, 2005

Looks like you renamed system to system.bak in the \repair folder. Also
looks like you already copied system.bak to \config folder. So all you
should need to do is;

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.bak system

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Here are the results for the second (not quite as bad):
|
| dir C:\winnt\repair
|
| 10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 .
| 10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 ..
| 10/18/01 10:12a -a------ 142435 SETUP.LOG
| 06/19/01 01:07p -a------ 522908 SECSETUP.INF
| 06/19/01 01:09p -a------5857280 SOFTWARE
| 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 122880 DEFAULT
| 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SECURITY
| 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SAM
| 06/19/01 01:06p -a-h---- 122880 NTUSER.DAT
| 05/08/01 07:00a -a------ 438 AUTOEXEC.NT
| 06/19/01 01:06p -a------ 2577 CONFIG.NT
| 10/18/01 10:38a -a------2781184 system.bak
| 12 file(s) 9585350 bytes
| 27728445440 bytes free
|
| WOW!!!

Guest · Feb 5, 2005

The saga continues....

Here is the response I get when I enter:

rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.bak system

"A directory or file with the name SYSTEM already exists"

So, taking a little self initiative (for a change), I checked the following:

DIR SYSTEM

and there is indeed a directory with that name.

Dave, any ideas from there?

Dave Patrick · Feb 5, 2005

If you have a directory named system in C:\winnt\system32\config\ then
delete it.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| The saga continues....
|
| Here is the response I get when I enter:
|
| rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.bak system
|
| "A directory or file with the name SYSTEM already exists"
|
| So, taking a little self initiative (for a change), I checked the
following:
|
| DIR SYSTEM
|
| and there is indeed a directory with that name.
|
| Dave, any ideas from there?
|
| "Dave Patrick" wrote:
|
| > Looks like you renamed system to system.bak in the \repair folder. Also
| > looks like you already copied system.bak to \config folder. So all you
| > should need to do is;
| >
| > rename C:\winnt\system32\config\system.bak system
| >
| > --
| > Regards,
| >
| > Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
| > Microsoft Certified Professional
| > Microsoft MVP [Windows]
| > http://www.microsoft.com/protect
| >
| > "Needy" wrote:
| > | Here are the results for the second (not quite as bad):
| > |
| > | dir C:\winnt\repair
| > |
| > | 10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 .
| > | 10/18/01 09:59a d------- 0 ..
| > | 10/18/01 10:12a -a------ 142435 SETUP.LOG
| > | 06/19/01 01:07p -a------ 522908 SECSETUP.INF
| > | 06/19/01 01:09p -a------5857280 SOFTWARE
| > | 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 122880 DEFAULT
| > | 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SECURITY
| > | 06/19/01 01:09p -a------ 16384 SAM
| > | 06/19/01 01:06p -a-h---- 122880 NTUSER.DAT
| > | 05/08/01 07:00a -a------ 438 AUTOEXEC.NT
| > | 06/19/01 01:06p -a------ 2577 CONFIG.NT
| > | 10/18/01 10:38a -a------2781184 system.bak
| > | 12 file(s) 9585350 bytes
| > | 27728445440 bytes free
| > |
| > | WOW!!!
| >
| >
| >

other computer will not boot and dont have backup disks	7	May 22, 2008
please help!!need help with boot disks	7	May 22, 2008
Windows 2000 System Hive Too Large?	3	Oct 12, 2009
A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed. Error code:0xc0000225	5	Jul 29, 2021
robocoby of Windows 2000 breaks	3	Nov 22, 2010
Can't Boot Windows 2000	3	Mar 15, 2004
Windows installation repair	3	Sep 4, 2007
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYST	5	Jan 13, 2008

Can't Boot/Can't Find Install Disks

Guest

Dave Patrick

Steve Parry [MVP]

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Guest

Dave Patrick

Guest

Dave Patrick

Ask a Question

Similar Threads