"windows\system32\config\system" missing or corrupt

[Dell Christopher]

WinXP Home

Dell 4600c desktop



I've been working on a computer that was infested with spyware and viruses:
over 250 spyware files detected with Ad-aware and Spybot S&D, and 41
infected files/viruses detected with AVG. After running these programs a
few times, I thought I had done a good job cleaning everything up last
night.



However, when I tried to turn the computer on today, I got the blue screen
of death with verbiage about a "system or memory dump" and something that
had to do with "hive". I didn't think of writing down the exact phrase
because I just figured I could go into Safe Mode and see what's going on.
When I tried to reboot into Safe Mode, I got the following message:



Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

windows\system32\config\system



I also tried to reboot into the last known working configuration but that
didn't work, either. Before posting this problem here, I have attempted to
Google for answers. Unfortunately, the most common suggestion revolves
around rebooting with the WinXP CD and performing a repair function.
Unfortunately, there is no WinXP CD available. I also scanned the Subject
line of the last 4000 messages in this newsgroup, but I did not find a
similar post.



Are there any options for me to successfully reboot wihtout the WinXP CD?
Any input is greatly appreciated.



Thanks!

 

[Rich Barry]

If you can, remove the hard drive and install it as Master/Slave
which ever is more convienent to a working system.
Then get to X:\Windows\Repair folder and copy system, default,
software, sam and security to X:\Windows\System32\
Config folder. You will get a message saying it already has a file
and would you like to replace it. Say yes to all.
That will give you the Registry when XP was first installed.
Usually that will get you going again.

 

[Dell Christopher]

Thanks for your reply, Rich. Unfortunately, I'm not hardware savvy so I
will need to research how to do that. If you know a good link for me to
review, I'd appreciate it.

In the interim, would the information/download at the following link do me
any good?

http://tinyurl.com/ruh6c

 

[Bruce Chambers]

WinXP Home

Dell 4600c desktop



I've been working on a computer that was infested with spyware and viruses:
over 250 spyware files detected with Ad-aware and Spybot S&D, and 41
infected files/viruses detected with AVG. After running these programs a
few times, I thought I had done a good job cleaning everything up last
night.



However, when I tried to turn the computer on today, I got the blue screen
of death with verbiage about a "system or memory dump" and something that
had to do with "hive". I didn't think of writing down the exact phrase
because I just figured I could go into Safe Mode and see what's going on.
When I tried to reboot into Safe Mode, I got the following message:



Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

windows\system32\config\system



I also tried to reboot into the last known working configuration but that
didn't work, either. Before posting this problem here, I have attempted to
Google for answers. Unfortunately, the most common suggestion revolves
around rebooting with the WinXP CD and performing a repair function.
Unfortunately, there is no WinXP CD available. I also scanned the Subject
line of the last 4000 messages in this newsgroup, but I did not find a
similar post.



Are there any options for me to successfully reboot wihtout the WinXP CD?
Any input is greatly appreciated.

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:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Dell Christopher]

Since the original WinXP CD is not available, can I use any WinXP CD? Can I
buy a full edition WinXP CD and use that, if necessary?

Also, I can't seem to put the right key words together on Google to get the
right kinds of instructions on how to install this hard drive into a working
second system and restore the registry, per Rich's suggestion. Most of the
links I've found are for installing a NEW second hard drive, partitioning
it, FDISK, and a bunch of other stuff that doesn't seem to apply to a
working hard drive with an OS already installed. Can anyone direct me to a
link on how to do this?

Thanks!

 

[Dell Christopher]

Well, I was able to install the hard drive as a slave on a second working
computer. I found it in Windows Explorer and copied the files from the
Repair folder to the System32 folder. There was no Config sub-folder in the
System32 folder and, after making sure it wasn't a hidden folder, I created
one and copied the files. However, that resulted in something good and
something bad:

The Good: After re-installing the original hard drive in the original
computer, I was able to boot up.

The Bad: A list of things that will likely trim a few hours off my sleep
tonight:

*msconfig showed only 1 item: mstinit.exe/firstlogon - nothing else!
*nothing in the System Tray except for the clock
*640x480 screen resolution. It prompted me to correct that but the bar
won't slide to the right in Display/Settings
*something about needing to install a PCI Communications device. It only
popped up once and I don't remember the whole message.
*no more Windows logon password

My gut reaction is that I erased all the previous settings without erasing
actual programs and files. I still don't understand why there isn't
anything else showing up in msconfig. I did manage to find what appears to
be the correct My Documents folder and it looks like no files were
lost...phew! Can anyone enlighten me as to what happened here and what my
next step is? Keep in mind I do NOT have a WinXP CD.