command prompt - repair - system32/config/system issue

[Guest]

A few days ago, I could not boot my computer - error message -
\windows\system32\config\system - file missing or corrupted.

Somehow I got a command prompt - DOS mode - I cannot remember exactly how I
did this but perhaps starting in Safe Mode with Command Prompt. I had printed
some instructions from Microsoft's site about how to recover from this error
message problem. I located the above file - could not copy it to move it
elsewhere. I renamed it. I went into the \windows\repair folder and found a
file named system.bak - there was no file named just \windows\repair\system
as the Microsoft instructions suggested. I copied that system.bak file with
the name system i.e., it became \windows\system32\config\system. When I tried
to boot the computer, it did boot but eventually, after the Windows XP screen
displayed, I got an error message to the effect that the password value is
incorrect. The computer then reboots and this is a loop that goes on and on.

Since then, I received a Windows XP CD from Dell. Now, I cannot get into
the Recovery Console since when I am prompted for the Administrator Password,
nothing works - not hitting ENTER, or typing in Password, or Admin. When I
try to start in Safe Mode with the command prompt, I get a display of drivers
and then the computer tries to reboot and I get the error message about the
incorrect password value. I know that I can reinstall Win 2003 entirely and
lose everything not backed up - I have a complete backup as of 3 weeks ago.
What can I do to solve this problem so that I can go in and delete the system
file I copied and go through the repair process? Thanks for the help. Bwana

 

[Patrick Keenan]

A few days ago, I could not boot my computer - error message -
\windows\system32\config\system - file missing or corrupted.

Somehow I got a command prompt - DOS mode - I cannot remember exactly how
I
did this but perhaps starting in Safe Mode with Command Prompt. I had
printed
some instructions from Microsoft's site about how to recover from this
error
message problem. I located the above file - could not copy it to move it
elsewhere.

That would be likely if you managed to boot Windows; the file would be
locked as in use. You have to boot from another source, so those files are
not in use, and this is why the directions tell you to boot from the CD.

You can use any bootable XP CD for the Recovery Console, move the drive to
another system and manipulate the files there, use a Linux boot CD, etc.

I renamed it. I went into the \windows\repair folder and found a
file named system.bak - there was no file named just
\windows\repair\system
as the Microsoft instructions suggested. I copied that system.bak file
with
the name system i.e., it became \windows\system32\config\system. When I
tried
to boot the computer, it did boot but eventually, after the Windows XP
screen
displayed, I got an error message to the effect that the password value is
incorrect. The computer then reboots and this is a loop that goes on and
on.

Sounds like the way that you did this caused further problems. And you
need the set of files, not just one.

Since then, I received a Windows XP CD from Dell. Now, I cannot get into
the Recovery Console since when I am prompted for the Administrator
Password,
nothing works - not hitting ENTER, or typing in Password, or Admin. When I
try to start in Safe Mode with the command prompt, I get a display of
drivers
and then the computer tries to reboot and I get the error message about
the
incorrect password value. I know that I can reinstall Win 2003 entirely
and
lose everything not backed up - I have a complete backup as of 3 weeks
ago.
What can I do to solve this problem so that I can go in and delete the
system
file I copied and go through the repair process? Thanks for the help.
Bwana

First, you'll have to clear the trashed passwords, and there are boot disks,
some linux-based, that have utilities for clearing XP passwords. For
example,
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
http://www.ebcd.pcministry.com/

However, note that if you've used EFS, and didn't export the account
credentials, encrypted data will be permanently lost, but on the other hand,
it probably already is.

If the boot CD you use has a file manager, you can perform all of the tasks
in the KB article in one pass. Just read carefully and understand what it
is you're doing.

HTH
-pk

 

[Guest]

Patrick

Thank you for your reply. I have a few comments and questions:

locked as in use. You have to boot from another source, so those files are
not in use, and this is why the directions tell you to boot from the CD.>>

Yes, I understand that I did manage to boot either with a command prompt in
Safe Mode or in the Recovery Console -- in fact, it was in the Recovery
Console as I was following the instructions in Microsoft kb document 307545 -
so I obviously had the Dell CD at the time.

another system and manipulate the files there, use a Linux boot CD, etc.>>

This is where the problem comes in. When I did it the first time, I was
able to get to the command prompt even though asked for the Administrator
password. Now, I get the message saying that the password is incorrect, so I
am unable to boot.

need the set of files, not just one.>>

I realize this now - but as I said, in the set, the file
\windows\repair\system did not exist as I had only
\windows\repair\system.bak. I did not copy the other files \software, \sam,
\security and \default. However, I just cannot get to the Dos prompt to fix
any of this.

some linux-based, that have utilities for clearing XP passwords. For
example,
http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/
http://www.ebcd.pcministry.com/>>

I came across the ebcd and downloaded it on an iMac and burned it to a disk,
but I cannot get the computer to boot from there. Is there a specific
procedure to use?

credentials, encrypted data will be permanently lost, but on the other hand,
it probably already is.>>

I have no idea what this means. Could you explain, please? Also, I am not
aware of any encrypted data that I should be worried about. Or should I?

in the KB article in one pass. Just read carefully and understand what it
is you're doing.>>

I have no problem doing what is stated and understand how to do it in batch
mode, but as I said the file mentioned in the KB article was not to be found
unless system.bak is the equivalent. I also understand now that it is a set
of files.


If you have any other ideas, I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks again for your help and patience.

Best regards,

Bwana