windows\system32\config\system missing from the system

  • Thread starter Thread starter bjhark
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bjhark

Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help? I'm completely stuffed. When windows
tries to start it says "windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrupt: windows\system32\config\system

I have tried booting the computer from CD. FIrstly when going into the
first option to install windows I am not given the option to repair the
existing windows. Then if I try to go through the recovery module to
fix and follow all the steps as per the windows knowledge base article,
ie.

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

Now I would take the further steps but all of the above except
system.bak come back saying that the system cannot find the file
specified or some such.

I have trawled and trawled through forums and guides over the net but
haven't found anything to help. Do I have anymore options so that I
don't lose my work from here?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys
 
Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help? I'm completely stuffed. When windows
tries to start it says "windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrupt: windows\system32\config\system
Click to expand...

--------------------------snip--------------------------------

I would suggest you rename system to system.bak

The use the extract tool to extract the file from the cab file on your
CD. I have no idea which cab file it is but if I remember correctly a
listing of cab files can be found on microsoft's web site. Here is
the help from the extract cmd.........

C:\WINDOWS\system32>extract /?
Microsoft (R) Cabinet Extraction Tool - Version 5.1.2600.2180
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved..

EXTRACT [/Y] [/A] [/D | /E] [/L dir] cabinet [filename ...]
EXTRACT [/Y] source [newname]
EXTRACT [/Y] /C source destination

cabinet - Cabinet file (contains two or more files).
filename - Name of the file to extract from the cabinet.
Wild cards and multiple filenames (separated by
blanks) may be used.

source - Compressed file (a cabinet with only one file).
newname - New filename to give the extracted file.
If not supplied, the original name is used.

/A Process ALL cabinets. Follows cabinet chain
starting in first cabinet mentioned.
/C Copy source file to destination (to copy from DMF disks).
/D Display cabinet directory (use with filename to avoid
extract).
/E Extract (use instead of *.* to extract all files).
/L dir Location to place extracted files (default is current
directory).
/Y Do not prompt before overwriting an existing file.





< "Old age ain't for sissies">
 
/[email protected]/ said:
Hi,

Wondering if anyone can help? I'm completely stuffed. When windows
tries to start it says "windows could not start because the following
file is missing or corrupt: windows\system32\config\system

I have tried booting the computer from CD. FIrstly when going into the
first option to install windows I am not given the option to repair the
existing windows. Then if I try to go through the recovery module to
fix and follow all the steps as per the windows knowledge base article,
ie.

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

Now I would take the further steps but all of the above except
system.bak come back saying that the system cannot find the file
specified or some such.

I have trawled and trawled through forums and guides over the net but
haven't found anything to help. Do I have anymore options so that I
don't lose my work from here?
Click to expand...

You may have already tried some of the following, but here's helpful info...

Try a boot into Safe Mode, by hitting F8 just before the "Starting
Windows" screen would appear (takes a bit of practice).
Choose LAST GOOD.

If that does nothing, use a working PC to read this first...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q823614
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Related info is here...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q307545
describes a three-step process to extract a copy of the registry
from the System Restore SVI folder.

Info on dealing with corruption issues...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

Reinstall/repair tutorials (if needed) are here...
http://WWW.WEBTREE.CA/windowsxp/
http://michaelstevenstech.com

After your system is restored, the ERUNT utility available here may
make it easier to fix the problem if it recurs...
http://HOME.T-ONLINE.DE/home/lars.hederer/erunt

If the problem persists, try swapping current RAM (even if it checks
good) for a single, high-quality 512Mb chip. XP reportedly is sensitive
to memory timing.
 
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