\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is missing

[blueoyster]

I'm getting the message Windows could not start because the following file is
missing:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Using the original CD-ROM at reboot I don't get any kind repair screen to
type in ' r ' to start the repair.I can't run chkdsk because it says the
volume is in use by another process.Would you like to schedule this volume to
be checked the next time the system restarts?The system won't restart or shut
down correctly.The Windows shutting down screen just hangs until you power
off the PC.At restart I eventually get the Windows screen by typing ' r ' at
each screen,but this can take several attempts and I still don't get a
Windows Repair screen.I've got the 'Guided Help to recover a corrupted
registry' off Microsoft support,but the 'restart' part of these are a problem.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I'm getting the message Windows could not start because the following file
is
missing:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

This means that part of the registry hive is damaged or missing.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

has the directions to fix this message. They do work.

Using the original CD-ROM at reboot I don't get any kind repair screen to
type in ' r ' to start the repair.

The Recovery Console is not exactly friendly. It's basically an almost
blank black screen. It asks you for a username and password, then it has a
C:\windows prompt. You have to know what the commands are you want to use
and type them in, though the KB article above does tell you how to use a
floppy disk to automate the process.

I can't run chkdsk because it says the
volume is in use by another process.

Doesn't matter since chkdsk will not come close to fixing this problem.
It's not the tool for the job.

You need to swap some files around so that the system will boot, and then
move other files to basically do a manual system restore.

Would you like to schedule this volume to
be checked the next time the system restarts?The system won't restart or
shut
down correctly.The Windows shutting down screen just hangs until you power
off the PC.At restart I eventually get the Windows screen by typing ' r '
at
each screen,but this can take several attempts and I still don't get a
Windows Repair screen.I've got the 'Guided Help to recover a corrupted
registry' off Microsoft support,but the 'restart' part of these are a
problem.

Thanks for any help.

It sounds like you are not getting to the Recovery Console, or not
recognizing it.
User the directions here,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

which you may already have. Follow them carefully.

It is also possible to do what the KB article describes in other ways, where
you boot from a Linix CD or attach your drive to another XP system. In
those cases, you don't need the restarts and once you understand what the
procedure is describing, you can alter it to move the damaged registry set
out of the way, and move the current set from the System Restore folders
into place. But it's important to understand what you are doing and why.

HTH
-pk

 

[blueoyster]

This means that part of the registry hive is damaged or missing.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

has the directions to fix this message. They do work.


The Recovery Console is not exactly friendly. It's basically an almost
blank black screen. It asks you for a username and password, then it has a
C:\windows prompt. You have to know what the commands are you want to use
and type them in, though the KB article above does tell you how to use a
floppy disk to automate the process.


Doesn't matter since chkdsk will not come close to fixing this problem.
It's not the tool for the job.

You need to swap some files around so that the system will boot, and then
move other files to basically do a manual system restore.


It sounds like you are not getting to the Recovery Console, or not
recognizing it.
User the directions here,
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

which you may already have. Follow them carefully.

It is also possible to do what the KB article describes in other ways, where
you boot from a Linix CD or attach your drive to another XP system. In
those cases, you don't need the restarts and once you understand what the
procedure is describing, you can alter it to move the damaged registry set
out of the way, and move the current set from the System Restore folders
into place. But it's important to understand what you are doing and why.

HTH
-pk


Thanks for the suggestions.I have all the Microsoft articles printed out and files downloaded.Now I have to get one of them to work.Thanks again.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm getting the message Windows could not start because the following file is
missing:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Using the original CD-ROM at reboot I don't get any kind repair screen to
type in ' r ' to start the repair.I can't run chkdsk because it says the
volume is in use by another process.Would you like to schedule this volume to
be checked the next time the system restarts?The system won't restart or shut
down correctly.The Windows shutting down screen just hangs until you power
off the PC.At restart I eventually get the Windows screen by typing ' r ' at
each screen,but this can take several attempts and I still don't get a
Windows Repair screen.I've got the 'Guided Help to recover a corrupted
registry' off Microsoft support,but the 'restart' part of these are a problem.

Thanks for any help.

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:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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