Missing or corrupt config files???

[Lyle Pfeifer]

This is the 3rd time this has happened with Windows XP,
service pack 1 is installed. My computer will not boot,
it comes up with the message WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
\CONFIG\SYSTEM files are missing or corrupt. I tried to
get the recovery to work, it wouldn't, I tried to restore
the REGISTRY and it will not boot to safe mode to
continue, just a screen full of stuff. Normal start up
does produce the starting windows XP screen but goes to a
blank screen after that. The last 2 times I reinstalled
XP but lost everything in the process. This is really
getting old. I hated Windows ME, now I am begining to
have a new hate. No programs were loaded or removed
before this happens. It just shows up out of the blue,
and says it can't start due to these files being missing
or corrupt. HELP HELP, Thanks in advance, Lyle

 

[babuji]

This is the 3rd time this has happened with Windows XP,
service pack 1 is installed. My computer will not boot,
it comes up with the message WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
\CONFIG\SYSTEM files are missing or corrupt. I tried to
get the recovery to work, it wouldn't, I tried to restore
the REGISTRY and it will not boot to safe mode to
continue, just a screen full of stuff. Normal start up
does produce the starting windows XP screen but goes to a
blank screen after that. The last 2 times I reinstalled
XP but lost everything in the process. This is really
getting old. I hated Windows ME, now I am begining to
have a new hate. No programs were loaded or removed
before this happens. It just shows up out of the blue,
and says it can't start due to these files being missing
or corrupt. HELP HELP, Thanks in advance, Lyle

Hi,

To fix this problem, repair Windows XP installation using the Recovery
Console:

Refer:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

Thanks,
Babuji CCNA
(e-mail address removed)

 

[dev]

Lyle Pfeifer said:

This is the 3rd time this has happened with Windows XP,
service pack 1 is installed. My computer will not boot,
it comes up with the message WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
\CONFIG\SYSTEM files are missing or corrupt. I tried to
get the recovery to work, it wouldn't, I tried to restore
the REGISTRY and it will not boot to safe mode to
continue, just a screen full of stuff. Normal start up
does produce the starting windows XP screen but goes to a
blank screen after that. The last 2 times I reinstalled
XP but lost everything in the process. This is really
getting old. I hated Windows ME, now I am begining to
have a new hate. No programs were loaded or removed
before this happens. It just shows up out of the blue,
and says it can't start due to these files being missing
or corrupt. HELP HELP, Thanks in advance, Lyle

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.