dual boot and registry problems: missing system file

[Larry Wight]

I installed win2k on an external drive on my XP machine and when done found
that while win2k booted fine, but I had lost my XP boot. It says when trying
to boot XP, "Windows 2000 could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMd..."
I have attempted to reconstruct the registry using KB 307545, "How to
recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting"
but have found that indeed the files \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM and
\WINDOWS\REPAIR\SYSTEM are both missing. In addition, the drive on which XP
should run got redesignated as "D" from "C" (I don't know if that is
actually part of this problem).

I am getting more and more concerned. Is there any alternative to a fresh
install of XP? Will I lose data and software when re-installing XP ??

Larry Wight

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Larry,

Boot into Win2000, insert the WinXP CD. Copy ntldr and ntdetect.com from the
I386 folder to the root of the boot partition (you will see the Win2000
version of those files there if your folder options/view are set to see
hidden and system files). Overwrite the existing files, then restart the
system and try accessing WinXP.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Larry Wight]

"Nutcase"! Thanks you!
I have seent he light! I actually saw the XP splash screen! Unfortunately,
that's all I've seen! After trying to load for ~ 1 minute, I saw a notice
fly by from ISASS saying something about a password return error. The system
then tries to reboot. Any more hints??
Larry

 

[Larry Wight]

Hi Larry,

Yep, you can now load WinXP - unfortunately now you have a different
problem. If you are unable to boot, even in Safe mode, you may need to run a
repair installation on WinXP (fortunately, this will not hurt the Win2000
installation). See:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

....Rick...