C:\windows\system32\system missing or corrupt.

[Mike Hyndman]

I've "inherited"v a PC that hangs at boot up with the following message;
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
C:\windows\system32\system

From the recovery console I checked this directory and the following
system files were present;

System 3145728 (note, no extension) modified 20 May 2005
System.log 667648
System.Sav 393216

I expanded the following files from the I386\system32 directory without
success;

System.Adm 1371006
System.Chm 370382
System.Drv 3360
System.ini 219
System.Mof 63684

I don't know which flavour of XP this PC has installed as I don't get
that far, I've used my copy of XPPro to effect the repair.I have also
checked my own sytem32\config directory for the above files and only
have;

System 7168 ( a bit smaller than the above one)
System.Sav 388 (Also)

Any help with this problem gratefully received.
Mike H

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've "inherited"v a PC that hangs at boot up with the following message;
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
C:\windows\system32\system

From the recovery console I checked this directory and the following
system files were present;

System 3145728 (note, no extension) modified 20 May 2005
System.log 667648
System.Sav 393216

I expanded the following files from the I386\system32 directory without
success;

System.Adm 1371006
System.Chm 370382
System.Drv 3360
System.ini 219
System.Mof 63684

I don't know which flavour of XP this PC has installed as I don't get
that far, I've used my copy of XPPro to effect the repair.I have also
checked my own sytem32\config directory for the above files and only
have;

System 7168 ( a bit smaller than the above one)
System.Sav 388 (Also)

Any help with this problem gratefully received.
Mike H

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

 

[Mike Hyndman]

Bruce,

A thousand thanks, I've managed to get as far as the Administrator log
on dialogue box but it is now asking for a password. I've asked the
owner of the PC for this info but was met with blank stares and shrugs
of shoulders. I've tried accessing without a password without success.
Any suggestions?
TIA
Mike H

 

[Mike Hyndman]

On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 12:08:31 +0100, Mike Hyndman
Bruce,

Problem solved, used the NTFS password reset utility from the "Ultimate
Boot CD" It took three attempts to change the admin password.
Again many thanks

MH