missing or corrupt C:\Windows\System32\Config\System

[Paul Kraemer]

Hi,

I have a brand new PC from Dell that came pre-installed with Windows XP Pro
SP3 (I ordered it with the XP downgrade option).

I have been using it for about two weeks. I have loaded a bunch of software
on it and it was working fine. About an hour ago, the power went out on me.
When the PC booted back up, I got a message saying that Windows could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt -
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It recommended that I boot to the Windows
XP CD-ROM and choose 'R-Repair'. I did this and it got me into the Recovery
Console. I found some instructions online that said to try running chkdsk
/p. I did this, and after this i was able to boot into windows, but before
the system got totally started up, I would get a blue-screen-of-death (BSOD).

Next, I restarted the computer and held down F8 when Windows first tried to
load. I chose to restore the last know good configuration. Now I can boot
into Windows without getting a BSOD, but it seems as though Windows has lost
the drivers for every single device on my system. I get the hardware wizard
for the system board, DVD drive, network adapters...everything. I thought I
would try to reinstall drivers from the driver DVD that came with the PC, but
I can't because windows doesn't recognize the DVD drive. I can't get on the
internet because Windows doesn't recognize the network adaptor.

Can anyone tell me where I may have gone wrong in my attempt to fix this
problem, and if there is anything I can try short of just reinstalling
everything?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[Gerry]

Paul

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

Do you have data files you need to recover? If not you may a new clean
install of Windows XP the simplest solution.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[sgopus]

This tends to happen when a pc loses power abruptly, good event for
reccmending a UPS .

if the system is not seeing the DVD drive then I would think it's due to it
being a SATA drive and needs the drivers loaded from floppy disk, see if you
can find the SATA drivers for your motherboard and (hopefully you have a
floppy drive installed).
install them from the floppy.

Without the cd drive your not going to be able to do a reinstall, solve that
problem first, the rest will come easy.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

It's a brand new PC so it's still under Warranty and/or Service Contract.
Contact Dell Support (who may ask if the machine was plugged in to the
wallout outlet or a properly-rated power strip).

 

[Gerry]

Paul

Follow up request.

Please post a complete copy of the latest Stop Error Report

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

the error pertains to the
registry hive.

it must have crashed when
you lost power and it was
in the middle of a read/write.

here is the kb to fix it:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

it is a two part process.

basically, you will find a
basic registry to replace
the corrupted one.

then with it, you can boot
up windows and search
for a more up to date
registry, to replace the
basic one loaded.

good luck.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi,

I have a brand new PC from Dell that came pre-installed with Windows XP
Pro
SP3 (I ordered it with the XP downgrade option).

I have been using it for about two weeks. I have loaded a bunch of
software
on it and it was working fine. About an hour ago, the power went out on
me.
When the PC booted back up, I got a message saying that Windows could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt -
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It recommended that I boot to the
Windows
XP CD-ROM and choose 'R-Repair'. I did this and it got me into the
Recovery
Console. I found some instructions online that said to try running chkdsk
/p. I did this, and after this i was able to boot into windows, but
before
the system got totally started up, I would get a blue-screen-of-death
(BSOD).

And the STOP code was.... ?

Next, I restarted the computer and held down F8 when Windows first tried
to
load. I chose to restore the last know good configuration. Now I can
boot
into Windows without getting a BSOD, but it seems as though Windows has
lost
the drivers for every single device on my system. I get the hardware
wizard
for the system board, DVD drive, network adapters...everything. I thought
I
would try to reinstall drivers from the driver DVD that came with the PC,
but
I can't because windows doesn't recognize the DVD drive. I can't get on
the
internet because Windows doesn't recognize the network adaptor.

Can anyone tell me where I may have gone wrong in my attempt to fix this
problem, and if there is anything I can try short of just reinstalling
everything?

Your Dell should have come with a driver CD. Now is the time to use it, as
you've tried. If the DVD drive is SATA, drivers may be required if the
drive controller is running in native SATA mode. Go into the BIOS and find
the reference to shift it to IDE mode. Reboot, and the drive should be
recognised.

What's likely happened is that the registry was damaged, and you manged to
load a version that didn't have the drivers referenced. Try a System
Restore to a point before the crash, but not too far before.

Alternately, this is where your Dell warranty comes into play, but if you
also have any meaningful data on the system, remove the drive, attach it to
another system, and copy that data off. If any kind of service is
required, the system is likely to be restored, meaning your drive will be
wiped.

HTH
-pk

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I have a brand new PC from Dell that came pre-installed with Windows XP Pro
SP3 (I ordered it with the XP downgrade option).

I have been using it for about two weeks. I have loaded a bunch of software
on it and it was working fine. About an hour ago, the power went out on me.
When the PC booted back up, I got a message saying that Windows could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt -
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It recommended that I boot to the Windows
XP CD-ROM and choose 'R-Repair'. I did this and it got me into the Recovery
Console. I found some instructions online that said to try running chkdsk
/p. I did this, and after this i was able to boot into windows, but before
the system got totally started up, I would get a blue-screen-of-death (BSOD).

Next, I restarted the computer and held down F8 when Windows first tried to
load. I chose to restore the last know good configuration. Now I can boot
into Windows without getting a BSOD, but it seems as though Windows has lost
the drivers for every single device on my system. I get the hardware wizard
for the system board, DVD drive, network adapters...everything. I thought I
would try to reinstall drivers from the driver DVD that came with the PC, but
I can't because windows doesn't recognize the DVD drive. I can't get on the
internet because Windows doesn't recognize the network adaptor.

Can anyone tell me where I may have gone wrong in my attempt to fix this
problem, and if there is anything I can try short of just reinstalling
everything?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

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:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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killed a great many philosophers.
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