windows\system32\config\system is missing

[iontrap]

I have tried using Part 1 of http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
but when I get to: copy c:\windows\repair\system
c:\windows\system32\config\system, it tells me it can't find the file.

Is there something else I can try?

 

[Andrew E.]

Youre in recovery while trying 307545,try reading kb307654 The cmd to use
would probably be: Copy Try Copy /? Get the wizard to help with all cmds
If you cant copy the file(s) thru recovery,try booting to xp cd,select
install xp,
"repair this copy",you only loose xp updates.

 

[philo]

I have tried using Part 1 of http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
but when I get to: copy c:\windows\repair\system
c:\windows\system32\config\system, it tells me it can't find the file.

Is there something else I can try?

If the file, "system" is not there see if there is a backup


look in C:\windows\system32\config and see if there is a system.sav

if so...see if there is a C:\windows\system32\config\system

if a "system" file exists there rename it system.xxx

then rename system.sav as simpy : system


now you can reboot and if your machine is aorking ok
delete system.xxx

 

[iontrap]

I did look and there is no c:\windows\system32\config\system, but I think
there was system.sav. I tried renaming system.sav to system and got an error
message,
windows\system32\config\system.sav is missing.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

yeh, you can try a
"repair" with your
windows setup cd.

here are the instructions:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

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[iontrap]

This afternoon I went out and bought an external HD enclosure to connect the
laptop HD to my desktop to copy my data over before doing a chkdisk. When I
try to access the folder with my user data I get an error message telling me
that the folder is not accessible and access denied. What exactly is this
telling me?

 

[philo]

I did look and there is no c:\windows\system32\config\system, but I think
there was system.sav. I tried renaming system.sav to system and got an error
message,
windows\system32\config\system.sav is missing.


"

well if you saw system.sav then it's not missing

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

i don't believe that
anyone suggested to
do a chkdsk. this
command does not
apply to your error
so don't use at this
time.

here is some info on your
recent error:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881

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[iontrap]

Thanks, I was able to get my data out of the folder. Would it be better to
wipe the drive and start over or continue to find a resolution?

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

well, it depends on what
you hope to achieve.

my preference would be
to repair windows as it
would replace or repair
system files. thus
reinstalling and updates
can be avoided.

incidentally did you remember
to copy your email files/accounts
as well?

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[iontrap]

Yes, I remembered to copy my email files and accounts.
One thing that I did to was to manually copy the system file from the repair
directory to the system32\config directory, while the drive was hooked up to
my desktop. This brought the system back up and I'm in the process of
reinstalling software.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

yes, it was an excellent
idea to copy those files
will you were hooked up.

-----------

the loss of the registry
hive is not all that uncommon
and many people have varying
opinions about maintaining
it or not.

while the cause for yours
crashing cannot be determined
from here, the registry is a database
file and is vulnerable to corruption like
any other file on your disk. so my
unwavering opinion is to maintain
the registry.

my suggestion would be for you
consider installing a freeware
from microsoft called
pagedefrag and set it to run at boot
time. it will defrag the hive.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/FileAndDisk/PageDefrag.mspx

you may also want to use a
freeware called erunt, which
will backup the registry.

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?srch=105&FORM=IE7RE&q=erunt

create a root directory folder
called emergency. and in it
keep your registry backups.

also create a batch file
that will run the dos commands
to copy your registry from the
special folder into the
system folder. the process is
similar to the initial kb you
looked up.

finally use the utility below
from microsoft once a month or so.

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/article/registry_cleaner_why.htm

they made windows and
made the utility above for it as
well. so you should take
advantage of this valuable
utility.


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[iontrap]

Thank you for all of your help! I'm back up and running!

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

you're welcome.

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