can't start, getting message windows\system32\config\system

[Nairam]

i read the post, tried few things, it doesn't work, got windows xp home, keep
getting message windows\system32\config\system, got a fry's build pc,
warranty is gone, i already tried going to bios and making sure the first
boot is the cd, what i get is:

please select recovery option: restore system to factory settings (i done it
twice before, it wiped everything out, and i don't want to loose the files)

that is the only option i get, the restore software/cd is from wasay
technologies, any other way i can get around this? as far as i know, i
haven't backed up the files.

 

[Nightowl]

i read the post, tried few things, it doesn't work, got windows xp home, keep
getting message windows\system32\config\system, got a fry's build pc,
warranty is gone, i already tried going to bios and making sure the first
boot is the cd, what i get is:

please select recovery option: restore system to factory settings (i done it
twice before, it wiped everything out, and i don't want to loose the files)

that is the only option i get, the restore software/cd is from wasay
technologies, any other way i can get around this? as far as i know, i
haven't backed up the files.

Hi Nairam

That message means part of your registry is damaged. There is a way to
recover without having to resort to a "factory restore" of your system,
though.

The first thing to try, if you haven't already, is to start up the
computer and go to the Advanced Options screen by tapping the F8 key
repeatedly (this is the same screen you go to to choose Safe Mode). When
you get there, choose Last Known Good Configuration and see if your
Windows will start.

If you still get the error message, you have a few options. There is a
Microsoft Knowledge Base article on this, but MS warns not to use its
method on OEM Windows installations; also it uses the Recovery Console,
which it doesn't seem is included on your manufacturer's disk. However,
there is a shortcut method which I prefer and which avoids those
problems.

If you have a friend who will help you, or access to a working computer,
make yourself a bootable "live" recovery CD such as:
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows -- http://www.ubcd4win.com/
Bart's PE -- http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
or a version of Linux called Knoppix:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
They are all great tools but UBCD for Windows is probably easiest.

With one of these disks you can access the hard drive on your
non-booting computer and replace the damaged registry with recent copies
of its files stored within a restore point folder. This will allow you
to boot up and you can then run a full system restore from a point
before the problem began (don't skip this bit!) I've done this twice on
a friend's computer and can walk you through it once you've got your
live disk.

Once you've got your computer back, immediately install ERUNT:
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
and you'll never have this problem again.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes

 

[Casehardened]

Hi Nairam

That message means part of your registry is damaged. There is a way to
recover without having to resort to a "factory restore" of your system,
though.

The first thing to try, if you haven't already, is to start up the
computer and go to the Advanced Options screen by tapping the F8 key
repeatedly (this is the same screen you go to to choose Safe Mode). When
you get there, choose Last Known Good Configuration and see if your
Windows will start.

If you still get the error message, you have a few options. There is a
Microsoft Knowledge Base article on this, but MS warns not to use its
method on OEM Windows installations; also it uses the Recovery Console,
which it doesn't seem is included on your manufacturer's disk. However,
there is a shortcut method which I prefer and which avoids those
problems.

If you have a friend who will help you, or access to a working computer,
make yourself a bootable "live" recovery CD such as:
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows -- http://www.ubcd4win.com/
Bart's PE -- http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
or a version of Linux called Knoppix:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
They are all great tools but UBCD for Windows is probably easiest.

With one of these disks you can access the hard drive on your
non-booting computer and replace the damaged registry with recent copies
of its files stored within a restore point folder. This will allow you
to boot up and you can then run a full system restore from a point
before the problem began (don't skip this bit!) I've done this twice on
a friend's computer and can walk you through it once you've got your
live disk.

Once you've got your computer back, immediately install ERUNT:
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/
and you'll never have this problem again.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes

 

[Casehardened]

The info that Nightowl gave is EXCELLENT--the link to UBCD4WIN is the BEST I
have found--I have spent a lot of time looking all over the Microsoft site
for a registry repair for windows xp sp2 OEM and this is the best. The site
breaks it all down for and easy install--much better than BartPE or anything
else--thanks Nightowl.