file is missing or corrupt error

[Ryan Young]

I am receiving the following error on my desktop system running Windows XP
home

File is missing or corrupt

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I understand that this may be a problem with the system registry and that I
will need to try running the recovery console to correct the problem.
Trouble is now that I'm in the Recovery console I'm not sure what to do to
try and correct the problem.

thanks in advance

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am receiving the following error on my desktop system running Windows XP
home

File is missing or corrupt

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I understand that this may be a problem with the system registry and that I
will need to try running the recovery console to correct the problem.
Trouble is now that I'm in the Recovery console I'm not sure what to do to
try and correct the problem.

thanks in advance

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

 

[Ryan Young]

Ok, I've got Windows to reboot, now I'm running into this:

Note You may receive the following error message:
C:\System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied.
If you receive this message, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base
article to gain access to this folder and continue with the procedure:
309531 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531/) How to gain access to the
System Volume Information folder

and I can't get access to the folder, even though I've changed the viewing
properties

 

[dev]

/Ryan Young/ said:

I am receiving the following error on my desktop system running Windows XP
home

File is missing or corrupt

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

I understand that this may be a problem with the system registry and that I
will need to try running the recovery console to correct the problem.
Trouble is now that I'm in the Recovery console I'm not sure what to do to
try and correct the problem.

Try a boot into Safe Mode, by hitting F8 just before the "Starting
Windows" screen would appear (takes a bit of practice).
Choose LAST GOOD.

If that does nothing, use a working PC to read this first...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q823614
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Related info is here...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q307545
describes a three-step process to extract a copy of the registry
from the System Restore SVI folder.

Info on dealing with corruption issues...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

Reinstall/repair tutorials (if needed) are here...
http://WWW.WEBTREE.CA/windowsxp/
http://michaelstevenstech.com

After your system is restored, the ERUNT utility available here may
make it easier to fix the problem if it recurs...
http://HOME.T-ONLINE.DE/home/lars.hederer/erunt

If the problem persists, try swapping current RAM (even if it checks
good) for a single, high-quality 512Mb chip. XP reportedly is sensitive
to memory timing.

 

[Ryan Young]

Thanks for the help, but I guess since I've started the process suggested by
Bruce, my last known good configuration is to Windows with no personalized
settings. I guess I need to keep moving on that process, I just have to
figure out how to get past:
Note You may receive the following error message:
C:\System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied.

Any ideas?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Ok, I've got Windows to reboot, now I'm running into this:

Note You may receive the following error message:
C:\System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied.
If you receive this message, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base
article to gain access to this folder and continue with the procedure:
309531 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531/) How to gain access to the
System Volume Information folder

and I can't get access to the folder, even though I've changed the viewing
properties

Changing the viewing properties won't affect file access, from a
security point-of-view. Are you using an account with administrative
privileges? Have you tried using the method using CACLS.EXE from the
command prompt?


--

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

 

[Ryan Young]

When booting in Safe mode, I did go in as Administrator. I have never used
CACLS.EXE. What would I use for a command line string? In safe mode or
boot to a command prompt (using F8 at startup) or just run a command prompt
in Windows?

 

[Ricky]

Try taking ownership..
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&Product=winxp
In XP Home you have to boot in safe mode to see the security tab. In XP Pro
you have to disable simple file sharing.

 

[Ryan Young]

Thanks to everyone - my system is up and running! Got to love these groups
and the people!