Windows could not start.............

[romac]

I'm getting a "Windows XP could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error message.

With the Windows Setup disk I tried running the repair console but when
prompted to select which Windows installation to log onto I select the
correct drive and I get the BSOD that says ...."Windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer REGISTRY _ERROR". I'm stuck! I can't
even get into SAFE MODE.

Please Help! Thanks in advance.

 

[Alec S.]

romac wrote (in

I'm getting a "Windows XP could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error message. …
I'm stuck! I can't even get into SAFE MODE.

That’s because safe mode needs the system registry (ALL of Windows does). That
file that is missing or corrupt is the part of the registry that contains
everything about your particular system (hardware, drivers, etc.) Without that
file, it is like Windows is missing one of the hemispheres of its brain: it just
can’t live (for all intents and purposes).

Fortunately Windows likes to keep a backup copy, so you could try manually
restoring that (although it should have already tried to restore it on its own).
Do you have a way to access Windows’ files without actually booting Windows?
Some options are booting into the recovery console, DOS mode, another OS (yes,
yes, DOS is an OS too), put the drive in another computer, etc.

Here’s a couple of guides on how to address your specific problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Windows/C:\windows\system32\config\system_missing_or_corrupt.html

 

[Kelly]

To fix the "windows\system32\config\system file is mising or corrupt" where
Xp wont boot:

Go to Recovery Console and type:

cd system32\config
ren system system.old
ren system.alt systemalt.old
copy c:\windows\repair\system
copy c:\windows\repair\regback\system
exit

Recover from a Corrupted Registry Preventing Win XP from Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q307545


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

[nass]

I'm getting a "Windows XP could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error message.

With the Windows Setup disk I tried running the repair console but when
prompted to select which Windows installation to log onto I select the
correct drive and I get the BSOD that says ...."Windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer REGISTRY _ERROR". I'm stuck! I can't
even get into SAFE MODE.

Please Help! 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
HTH.
nass

 

[romac]

When I get to the Windows XP Recovery Console prompt and select which windows
installation that I want to log onto for recovery I select the correct
drive.......... and I get the BSOD that says "Windows has been shut down to
prevent damage to your computer REGISTRY _ERROR