XP Recovery Problem

[Guest]

Help!

I'm getting the "Windows can not start because the following file is missing
or corrupt
/WINNT/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM" error when I start my computer.

I've been through the many posts in this bb about it, and checked out the MS
help file: "How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP
from Starting" and other related files. Seems easy enough.

But - I can't get by the first step: I'm not promted for a login password
when I enter the console, or to choose an operating system. Instead I'm
presented with c:/>, not c:/WINDOWS. I get an "Access is denied." message if
I try to switch to the windows directory, or start the described process by
typing "md tmp". I've also tried the "logon" command to no avail.

Any suggestions?

 

[Guest]

You must boot to the xp cd and see the Press any key to boot from cd message.
You will not ever be able to switch to Windows. Have you read the Recovery
Console instructions? Here they are:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314058&Product=winxp

 

[Guest]

Yes - I've done that and read the article. I've booted from my windows CD
and entered the recovery console from there. Any idea why i'm getting the
Access is denied messages?