missing or corrupt SYSTEM file

[Guest]

Several months ago I updated an old PC form WIN98 to XP HOme and it was working find until yesterday when it displayed a message that

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTE

and suggests repairing it with the Windows CD using option R but when I run the XP CD I get as far as

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer

1: C:\WINDOW

Which Windows Installation would you like to log ont
(To cancel, press ENTER)

.... but after I type 1 and enter nothing happens except the CDROM drive light freezes

I can boot the computer with a WIN98 recovery disk.. is there anyway to obtain the SYSTEM file to put on a CD which I could then copy to the hard drive? I can't copy it off my other computer since it says the file is in use.

 

[Kaylene aka Taurarian]

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654
Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
See also
How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

Several months ago I updated an old PC form WIN98 to XP HOme and it was

working find until yesterday when it displayed a message that :

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

and suggests repairing it with the Windows CD using option R but when I run the XP CD I get as far as:

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log onto
(To cancel, press ENTER)?

... but after I type 1 and enter nothing happens except the CDROM drive light freezes.

I can boot the computer with a WIN98 recovery disk.. is there anyway to obtain

the SYSTEM file to put on a CD which I could then copy to the hard drive? I
can't copy it off my other computer since it says the file is in use.

 

[Taurarian]

How desperate are you, perhaps a repair install - may or
may not work since you have a corrupted registry?
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

-----Original Message-----
Thank you for your reply. However, as I mentioned the

recovery console freezes when you press and enter 1. And
since I can't start windows I can't install it to the
boot menu. Is there any furhter recourse?

----- Kaylene aka Taurarian wrote: -----

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That

Prevents Windows XP from Starting

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb% 3ben-us%3b307654
Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
See also
How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-us;822705

to XP HOme and it was
working find until yesterday when it displayed a message that : using option R but when I run
the XP CD I get as far as: except the CDROM drive light
freezes.

disk.. is there anyway to obtain

 

[mic911]

Have you solved this problem?

I am having a similar problem. It's a server running 2003 Ent Ed w/ SP2 and when I choose the windows installation, recovery console freezes. When I press the power button to power down the machine, I then see the prompt for the administrator password right before it shuts off. I might have to use a linux boot disc to get into the registry..

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Paul