\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is missing/corrupt

[Guest]

Hi, Upon starting my computer this morning, I received the following
surprise......much to my delight:

"WIndows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting WIndows Setup using the
Setup CD-Rom.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

Well, I inserted my WINOWS XP w/ Service Pack 2 CD and my keyboard didn't
seem to be interacting with my computer. I'd get the message that Startup is
staring or something similar.....then the screen would go black with a blown
up mouse pointer. I checked all my plugs in the back of my tower and also
checked to ensure all my hard drives were connected properly. Still no luck.
Not sure what I can do here.

-Mike

----------------------------------------------
I had a problem in March, so I purchased a new hard drive:

Western Digital SATA 320 GB hard drive.

I have a 250 GB hard drive

I also have a 200 GB hard drive as well
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's information on my computer:

System:

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Computer:

AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3000+
2.09 GHz, 512 MB of RAM


I use nVidia chipsets.
I have the ABIT NF7-S motherboard.
I use 2 IDE hard drives (150GB and 250GB)
Single partition in the NTFS format.
I have an ATI ALL IN WONDER 9700 PRO (graphics card)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Hi, Upon starting my computer this morning, I received the following
surprise......much to my delight:

"WIndows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

See "How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545).

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, Upon starting my computer this morning, I received the following
surprise......much to my delight:

"WIndows cannot start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting WIndows Setup using the
Setup CD-Rom.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

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 for the link. I appreciate it from both users that replied to me. I am
worried about this line though, since I have an OEM version of Windows XP w/
SP2:

"Warning Do not use the procedure that is described in this article if your
computer has an OEM-installed operating system. The system hive on OEM
installations creates passwords and user accounts that did not exist
previously. If you use the procedure that is described in this article, you
may not be able to log back into the recovery console to restore the original
registry hives."


-Mike

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the link. I appreciate it from both users that replied to me. I am
worried about this line though, since I have an OEM version of Windows XP w/
SP2:

"Warning Do not use the procedure that is described in this article if your
computer has an OEM-installed operating system. The system hive on OEM
installations creates passwords and user accounts that did not exist
previously. If you use the procedure that is described in this article, you
may not be able to log back into the recovery console to restore the original
registry hives."


-Mike

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Thanks for the link. I appreciate it from both users that replied to me. I am
worried about this line though, since I have an OEM version of Windows XP w/
SP2:

Contact the hardware manufacturer. He should be able to tell you, if
the procedure will work or if you have to reinstall Windows.

 

[Guest]

I have a HP Pav. XT 948 that is giving me the same "windows cannot start
because the following file is missing or corrupt -
\windows\system32\config\system However I do not have a start up disk -
my computer didn't come with one. Any suggestions?

 

[Kelly]

Cannot Start Windows XP if the System or Software Hive Is Missing or Damaged
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q303012

SystemRoot\System32\Config\SYSTEM
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q314874

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

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307545

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

Recovery Console Fix for XP SP1 (Line 58)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

i have read this article but i have one question

it talks about automating step 2 using a batch file...it has been way too
long since i have done that..could soemone give me some simple instructions