Boot Problem: \windows\system32\config\system

  • Thread starter Thread starter billyd1970
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billyd1970

Hi,

I've been getting the following message when trying to boot up my
computer

windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

I've been looking through the posts here and have tried some of what
has been suggested but no luck. Here is what has happened so far.

I've tried:
- Booting to Safe Mode - F8. Tried this but it won't boot into safe
mode.

- Booting from my Windows XP disk and tried to do a repair install by
selecting the "To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER." Then to the "To
repair the selected Windows XP installation" and pressing R. After
that nothing happens, the computer just hangs.

- Booting from my Windows XP disk and tried the "To repair a Windows XP
installation using the Recovery Console, press R". I select the
install I want to repair (only one) and the computer just hangs.

All of this to no avail.

The only thing I haven't tried yet is to try the fresh install because
there is data on there that I don't want to erase (if I don't have to).

Based on the above that my computer is freezing when trying to select
these options is it possible my HD is fried? And if would it even be
possible to pull the info off of there?
I am so stuck. Any advice would be great. TIA
 
Hi,

I've been getting the following message when trying to boot up my
computer

windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

I've been looking through the posts here and have tried some of what
has been suggested but no luck. Here is what has happened so far.

I've tried:
- Booting to Safe Mode - F8. Tried this but it won't boot into safe
mode.

- Booting from my Windows XP disk and tried to do a repair install by
selecting the "To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER." Then to the "To
repair the selected Windows XP installation" and pressing R. After
that nothing happens, the computer just hangs.

- Booting from my Windows XP disk and tried the "To repair a Windows XP
installation using the Recovery Console, press R". I select the
install I want to repair (only one) and the computer just hangs.

All of this to no avail.

The only thing I haven't tried yet is to try the fresh install because
there is data on there that I don't want to erase (if I don't have to).

Based on the above that my computer is freezing when trying to select
these options is it possible my HD is fried? And if would it even be
possible to pull the info off of there?
I am so stuck. Any advice would be great. TIA
Click to expand...


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

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Thorsten said:
See "How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545).
Click to expand...

Thanks Thorsten but I should have mentioned in my original post that
the OS we an OEM installation meaning A.) the solution you provided
wouldn't work and B.) Even if it wasn't an OEM installation in my
original post I mentioned that from the Recovery Console the machine
freezes, I can't do anything.

I've seen posts similar with the exact same problem but no one has ever
been able to provide a solution.
Thanks for trying. Any other possibilities?

Billy D
 
your not going to like this answer, but........

fresh install might be your best bet.

sounds like something got ya, or user error.... i'll go with something got
ya. but i sounds to me like your doing a fresh install.
 
Thanks Thorsten but I should have mentioned in my original post that
the OS we an OEM installation meaning A.) the solution you provided
wouldn't work and B.) Even if it wasn't an OEM installation in my
original post I mentioned that from the Recovery Console the machine
freezes, I can't do anything.
Click to expand...

This may mean that you have to reinstall Windows. See the manual for
the PC for about how to do this.
 
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