Corrupt or missing system file

[Jimmy]

I'm getting an error message that says the file
c:\winnt\system32\config\system is corrupt or missing and
that I should use recovery console to repair windows.
However, the recovery option simply takes me to a command
prompt so it looks like I will have to re-install windows
xp. There are a lot of family pictures on this computer
and I don't want to lose those files. When I re-install
windows am I going to lose these files?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Jimmy

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I'm getting an error message that says the file
| c:\winnt\system32\config\system is corrupt or missing and
| that I should use recovery console to repair windows.
| However, the recovery option simply takes me to a command
| prompt so it looks like I will have to re-install windows
| xp. There are a lot of family pictures on this computer
| and I don't want to lose those files. When I re-install
| windows am I going to lose these files?
|
| Thanks for any advice you may have.
|
| Jimmy

 

[Alex Nichol]

I'm getting an error message that says the file
c:\winnt\system32\config\system is corrupt or missing and
that I should use recovery console to repair windows.
However, the recovery option simply takes me to a command
prompt so it looks like I will have to re-install windows
xp.

First try a boot hitting F8 as BIOS info goes to black, and take

Safe Mode - Command Prompt only
and from that run
C:\Windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
which will load the system restore utility to try restoring to a point
made a few days back
If that is unsuccesful try instead
Last Known Good Configuration

If neither work, use the method described in
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;307545

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

But you should probably start here:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705


Bruce Chambers

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