windows\system32\config\system missing from the system

[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

 

[GhostWrtr]

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

--------------------------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">

 

[hb]

/[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?

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.