Corrupt system entry file

[cymply]

Windows would start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system


The above message is on my screen, I am advised to install original set
up disc which advises me that it will delete my 'c' drive with three
years work in it.
On speaking to Vaio the computer makers, they advise I have no
alternative if I cannot access Windows. I have tried to do this on
'safe mode' but no joy.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Graham

 

[3c273]

If your Vaio has a cd burner, download a live Linux cd, (I suggest Knoppix,
www.knoppix.org), configure your machine to boot from cd in the bios, and
use Knoppix to burn any important data to a cd before you reinstall Windows.
You could also just copy your data to a usb key using Knoppix. In the
future, I would suggest backing up 3 years of work and not trusting that
your computer will work forever. Post back if you have any questions.
Louis

 

[Jim]

Windows would start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system


The above message is on my screen, I am advised to install original set
up disc which advises me that it will delete my 'c' drive with three
years work in it.
On speaking to Vaio the computer makers, they advise I have no
alternative if I cannot access Windows. I have tried to do this on
'safe mode' but no joy.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Graham

That file is part of the registry. The Help & Support article which
describes how to recover from a corrupted registry is probably not
applicable to you because you have an OEM machine.
Hence, your only out is to reinstall XP from the original setup disk.

Perhaps you could move the drive to another computer. You could then copy
your work off the drive to whatever....

Then, you could bring the drive back and reinstall XP.

Next time, backup your valuable stuff on a regular basis.

Jim

 

[Rock]

Windows would start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

The above message is on my screen, I am advised to install original set
up disc which advises me that it will delete my 'c' drive with three
years work in it.
On speaking to Vaio the computer makers, they advise I have no
alternative if I cannot access Windows. I have tried to do this on
'safe mode' but no joy.

You have three years of work on your computer but no backups? First
retrieve the data.

1. Install the drive as a slave drive in another XP or Windows 2000
computer and copy the data
2. Create a bootable Bart's PE CD, boot from it, and copy the data to a
flash drive
3. Create a bootable linux CD with a distro such as Knoppix. Boot from
that, then copy the data to flash drive or if there are two CD drives, one
of which is a burner, use the k3b program on the linux CD to burn the data
to CD.
4. Take the computer to a competent computer tech to recover the data.

The error message indicates a registry problem. The normal solution is
this:
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545

There is a warning in this article, however, that it should not be used with
an OEM installation of XP which is what you have.

Another resolution is to do a repair install but for that you need an XP
installation CD for the system, but all you have is a recovery CD.

So the last option is to use the recovery CD. You will loose the data on
the drive so that's why you need to retrieve the data first.

After the system is running again set up a backup regimen. I recommend
using a drive imaging program such as Acronis True Image and saving a
compressed image of the drive to an external USB drive with redundancy by
burning a copy to DVD.

 

[Ron Martell]

The error message indicates a registry problem. The normal solution is
this:
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307545

There is a warning in this article, however, that it should not be used with
an OEM installation of XP which is what you have.

However if the o.p.'s only remaining option is a total "slash and
burn" with the Recovery Disk then there is nothing to lose by trying
the KB307545 procedure first.

MVP has an automated procedure for the registry recovery using a
Bart's PE Builder CD.
http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=corruptreg

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Rock]

:



However if the o.p.'s only remaining option is a total "slash and
burn" with the Recovery Disk then there is nothing to lose by trying
the KB307545 procedure first.

Sure, as long as they first retrieve the data.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Windows would start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system


The above message is on my screen, I am advised to install original set
up disc which advises me that it will delete my 'c' drive with three
years work in it.
On speaking to Vaio the computer makers, they advise I have no
alternative if I cannot access Windows. I have tried to do this on
'safe mode' but no joy.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Graham

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

Once you've recovered, you might want to look here, as well:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705




--

Bruce Chambers

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