windows lost when adding new memory

[Guest]

Hi,
When I added new memory to my XP Home pc the windows boot failed with the
error message:
the following file is missing \windows system32/config system
(note the missing drive prefixing the directory path)

After 2 weeks of tryng to recover (including upgrading to xp pro,
slipstream cds....) I finally gave up and used the initial oem cd which
formated the disk and put everything back in its original state.

I bought a new memory chip and now I'd like to try and add this new memory
but I'm worried that the same thing will happen again.

My question:
1. Is a normal backup sufficient to recover a non-bootable pc or does this
not backup the mbr etc?
2. How can adding new (possibly defective) RAM make windows forget how to
boot? (I seem to remember reading about this in another forum but I can't
find this now)

Best regards,
Alan

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,
When I added new memory to my XP Home pc the windows boot failed with the
error message:
the following file is missing \windows system32/config system
(note the missing drive prefixing the directory path)

After 2 weeks of tryng to recover (including upgrading to xp pro,
slipstream cds....) I finally gave up and used the initial oem cd which
formated the disk and put everything back in its original state.

This would have been easier, I should have thought:

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

I bought a new memory chip and now I'd like to try and add this new memory
but I'm worried that the same thing will happen again.

My question:
1. Is a normal backup sufficient to recover a non-bootable pc or does this
not backup the mbr etc?

It depends upon what you call a normal backup. Many people backup data
files only, not the entire system. If you perform a full system backup,
and have an independently bootable means of restoring said backup, then
you should be OK. One way to ensure this is to use hard drive imaging
software rather than a standard backup application.

2. How can adding new (possibly defective) RAM make windows forget how to
boot? (I seem to remember reading about this in another forum but I can't
find this now)

Very easily, if the new RAM module is either defective or incompatible.
Simply removing an incompatible RAM module is usually enough to return
the system to a usable state, but a defective module can easily cause
immediate and severe registry corruption.

It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module(s) be fully
compatible with both the motherboard and/or any other RAM
module(s)already in the system. Additionally, there are sometimes
jumper switches on older motherboards that need to be reset for new RAM
configurations. Consult your motherboard's manual or the manufacturer's
web site for specific instructions and compatibility requirements.

If you cannot lay your hands upon the computer's manual and the
manufacturer doesn't provide a support web site, you can use these
utilities to help determine the correct type of RAM needed:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Lavalys' Everest Home
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en

Also, Crucial Memory's web site (www.crucial.com) has a database
to help to find the right RAM for your specific make and model
computer and/or motherboard.


--

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]

This would have been easier, I should have thought:

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

I did look there first but this note cannot be used for oem installations
(there's a big warning about this at the begining).

It depends upon what you call a normal backup. Many people backup data If you perform a full system backup,
and have an independently bootable means of restoring said backup, then
you should be OK.

This is what I did. I was hoping to avoid the extra cost of pc ghost or
equivalent if this is unnecessary.

Very easily, if the new RAM module is either defective or incompatible.
Simply removing an incompatible RAM module is usually enough to return
the system to a usable state, but a defective module can easily cause
immediate and severe registry corruption.

First thing I did was remove the RAM but the damage was done.

It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module(s) be fully
compatible with both the motherboard and/or any other RAM
module(s)already in the system. Additionally, there are sometimes
jumper switches on older motherboards that need to be reset for new RAM
configurations. Consult your motherboard's manual or the manufacturer's
web site for specific instructions and compatibility requirements.

If you cannot lay your hands upon the computer's manual and the
manufacturer doesn't provide a support web site, you can use these
utilities to help determine the correct type of RAM needed:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Lavalys' Everest Home
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en

Also, Crucial Memory's web site (www.crucial.com) has a database
to help to find the right RAM for your specific make and model
computer and/or motherboard.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:

I have the original documentation but it is a bit vague - I.e. DRM 333 184
pin. My ram fitted this description but that wasn't sufficient. I later found
a warning about only using ram from the same manufacturer (not possible) so
next time round I'll remove the old ram first.

Thanks for the links. I'll look there.

I was also wondering if the memory somehow wipes out basic information when
the ram is incompatible without corrupting the registry. E.g. if non-disk
memory is overwritten (bios, cmos ? - I don't know whether this makes sense)
then the pc could forget that it has a hard drive and fail to find the
system.dat file. The warning shown in my first post shows that it doesn't
even know the name of the drive on which the registery is kept.

Thanks again, Bruce.
Alan

 

[Guest]

Windows was damaged immediate during bootup. The error message appeared
before even completing the bootup after adding the new RAM .

Question (out of curiosity): Why on earth would windows want to update the
registry during booting? Surely, writing before the boot is successful would
be a realy dangerous practice.
Alan


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