Barry said:
I tried option a, the windows login window opened, I typed in
Administrator and I get the following message:
"Unable to log you on because of an account restriction."
Again, I tried both in normal mode and safe mode.
I can unplugged the HDD and plug it into a USB Adapter on my other PC and
can read the drive this way. IS there anyway via this system, that I can
over-write the corrupted file?
I have a network, but both pc's are running Windows xp home, and as I
cannot log in to the other pc at all, not sure what to do.
Thanks
Barry
Ok, accessing the disk in a USB case will help. Here is what you can do.
Note: If you get a "Permission denied" message then you have to seize
ownership of the current folder. If unsure how to do this, click Start /
Help and look for help on "Ownership".
1. Log on as Administrator. You need to do this in Safe Mode on a WinXP Home
machine.
2. Create a folder X:\RegistryBackup. Instead of X:, use the correct drive
letter for your USB disk.
3. Copy X:\Windows\System32\config\System to X:\RegistryBackup.
4. Convince yourself that the file X:\RegistryBackup\System really exists.
5. Navigate to a folder similar to this one:
X:\System Volume
Information\_restore{14157744-4FA2-4CAF-BAFB-72CC49941087}
The folder will be hidden, hence you have to do it like so:
Click Start / Run / cmd {OK}
Type these commands:
cd "\System Volume Information}{Enter}
cd _{Tab}{Enter}
6. Type this command: dir /od{Enter}
7. Pick the most recent folder name, e.g. RP48
8. Type these commands:
cd RP48{Enter}
cd snapshot {Enter}
dir {Enter}
9. Pick the file with the word "System" in it.
10. Type this command:
copy /b _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
x:\windows\system32\config\system{Enter}
You have now replaced the suspect registry file with its most recent backup.
Put the disk back into its usual place and boot into Windows. It things get
worse, reverse Step 3 above.
By the way - what did you do or change that brought this problem about?
