Random 'c:\windows\system32\config\system' error

[Guest]

Hello,

I have Windows XP Home SP1a and I get this message "Windows XP could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" on start up at least once every 2 weeks.
It happens at random. I could be typing a document, on the net, burning a
cd anything and then shutdown the PC after use. The next time I go to power
on the PC it may boot fine but eventually I will get the above message and
windows will not boot. Now to get around it I use the windows xp cd to do a
repair install over the top and this fixes my problem and windows is up and
running again. Then in 1 or 2 weeks time I will get the same error and have
to do a repair install of windows xp all over again!
I have tried installing Windows XP SP2 but got the same error. Now I have
tested and even replaced my HDD and its fine. I have also replaced my modem
and ran a
memory and hardware diagnostic for days with no problems.
Does anyone know what else I can do. This is making me go insane and
becoming very annoying.

Thanks for any suggestions, Daniel.

 

[davexnet02]

Hello,

I have Windows XP Home SP1a and I get this message "Windows XP could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" on start up at least once every 2 weeks.
It happens at random. I could be typing a document, on the net, burning a
cd anything and then shutdown the PC after use. The next time I go to power
on the PC it may boot fine but eventually I will get the above message and
windows will not boot. Now to get around it I use the windows xp cd to do a
repair install over the top and this fixes my problem and windows is up and
running again. Then in 1 or 2 weeks time I will get the same error and have
to do a repair install of windows xp all over again!
I have tried installing Windows XP SP2 but got the same error. Now I have
tested and even replaced my HDD and its fine. I have also replaced my modem
and ran a
memory and hardware diagnostic for days with no problems.
Does anyone know what else I can do. This is making me go insane and
becoming very annoying.

Thanks for any suggestions, Daniel.

regarding some detective work -
Have you looked in the event viewer for any clues?
Have you tried disabling write caching on your IDE disks from
the device manager?

Regarding a possibly faster recovery -
Have you tried the procedure in this KB article ?
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545
It gives a lot of commands to restore te registry. You can put them
in a batch file to save time...

Dave

 

[Kelly]

In Recovery Console:

Type cd sytem32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

Depending on your error message, use as follows:

Next type: ren software software.bak and then press ENTER.

or:

type ren system system.bak and then press ENTER.

Next type:

copy c:\windows\repair\software , and then press ENTER.

or:

copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

Exit, reboot.

More info here:

Recovering XP using the Recovery Console (Line 333) right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello,

I have Windows XP Home SP1a and I get this message "Windows XP could
not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" on start up at least once every 2
weeks. It happens at random. I could be typing a document, on the
net, burning a cd anything and then shutdown the PC after use. The
next time I go to power on the PC it may boot fine but eventually I
will get the above message and windows will not boot. Now to get
around it I use the windows xp cd to do a repair install over the
top
and this fixes my problem and windows is up and running again. Then
in 1 or 2 weeks time I will get the same error and have to do a
repair install of windows xp all over again! I have tried
installing
Windows XP SP2 but got the same error. Now I have tested and even
replaced my HDD and its fine. I have also replaced my modem and ran
a
memory and hardware diagnostic for days with no problems.
Does anyone know what else I can do. This is making me go insane
and
becoming very annoying.

Thanks for any suggestions, Daniel.

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

 

[Guest]

Thanks Dave
I will try looking in event viewer for any clues and try disabling write
caching on my IDE disks in device manager.

Regarding KB 307545 if I have tryed this method but I just find doing a
repair install easy for me less hassle.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kelly

Below is a great idea to get me up and going but I just do an over the top
install just incase there may be something else that cause the problem.
Im just trying to figure out how to stop this from happening and whats
causing it.

Thanks again.

 

[Kelly]

In Recovery Console:

Type cd sytem32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

Depending on your error message, use as follows:

Next type: ren software software.bak and then press ENTER.

or:

type ren system system.bak and then press ENTER.

Next type:

copy c:\windows\repair\software , and then press ENTER.

or:

copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

Exit, reboot.

More info here:

Recovering XP using the Recovery Console (Line 333) right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

 

[Guest]

Thanks Bruce

I can normally get up and running and have sometimes tryed KB 307545 to get
back up and running. But I will have a look at the How to Troubleshoot
Registry Corruption Issues in KB 822705 and see if it helps.

Thanks again.

 

[Kelly]

Most welcome, but an over the top won't last for long. You are needing to
find the cause. For config, it generally has to do with display cards,
system ..... no telling. I have fixed many systems with this issue and
finally found that what I provided to you, works. YMMV. Good luck and keep
us posted. )