Winnt\sys32\config\systemCED Error

[ColTom2]

Hi:

I have a friend who has a Dell 4300 running Windows 2000 Pro and cannot get her computer to boot. She has even tried reformatting, but now gets this Winnt\sys32\config\systemCED error and will not go further. The entire system is locked up at this point.

Sorry to say she does not have a bootable floppy or CD disk.

Any help and/or recommendations will greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

ColTom2

 

[John John]

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is
Missing or Corrupt: \Winnt\System32\Config\Systemced
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269075/EN-US/

You will have to borrow a Windows 2000 CD or make a set of Startup
Diskettes to use the Recovery Console. Or you can mount her disk in
another Windows 2000/XP machine to do the repair.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

All she has is a Recovery CD so how would she ever make a set of Startup Diskettes when the computer will not boot? Also I do not follow your last comments about mounting her disk in another Win2000/XP computer?

Thanks
Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the Following File Is
Missing or Corrupt: \Winnt\System32\Config\Systemced
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269075/EN-US/

You will have to borrow a Windows 2000 CD or make a set of Startup
Diskettes to use the Recovery Console. Or you can mount her disk in
another Windows 2000/XP machine to do the repair.

John

 

[John John]

She will have to make the disks with another computer, also with
recovery disk that she has there is no saying what is or is not on there
so I can't say if she can make a set of startup diskettes or start the
Recovery Console with it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063 Maybe
the recovery disk can boot the Recovery Console, or she could just
borrow a Windows 2000 cd for the repairs.

"Mount the disk", put it in another computer as a second (data) disk and
do the instruction in KB269075 from the working Windows installation
instead of the Recovery Console. If her Windows 2000 is on a FAT32
partition she can do it from a Windows 9x computer, if her Windows 2000
is on an NTFS partition she will have to mount it in a Windows 2000/XP
machine because Windows 9x cannot read NTFS. An NT4 computer can also
do it providing that it has later service pack to read newer Windows
2000 NTFS version. In a case like that the working Windows is like a
"Super" Recovery Console with all the bells and whistles. Another way
to do the repairs is via a parallel installation on her computer, a
Windows installation on another partition or disk.

I should mention that the outcome of the repair depends greatly on how
old the registry hive that she will be using (to replace the corrupt
one) is. If she never or rarely made Emergency Repair Disks the hives
may be so old that the outcome might be completely unsatisfactory, but
she will be able to at least salvage her data files. One thing about
working from a parallel installation is that you can see the damaged
hive and see how big it is. If the problem is one of size you can try
to reduce the size instead of switching it for an old hive.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

I apologize for the misinformation, as she has a Windows 2000 Pro Edition Operating System CD and not a Recovery CD. Sorry about this.

I have read your referenced http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063 article on how to create a set of setup disks, but must admit I am not at all sure of the procedure even after reading it. It never mentions when or how to insert the blank floppy etc in making these disks.

I have a Sony desktop Windows MCE computer so could you please explain in detail somewhat how I would go about creating these disks from her Win2000 CD using my Sony and also accessing the Recovery Console. A step by step explanation would be most helpful.

I really appreciate your effort in this matter.

ColTom2

She will have to make the disks with another computer, also with
recovery disk that she has there is no saying what is or is not on there
so I can't say if she can make a set of startup diskettes or start the
Recovery Console with it. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063 Maybe
the recovery disk can boot the Recovery Console, or she could just
borrow a Windows 2000 cd for the repairs.

"Mount the disk", put it in another computer as a second (data) disk and
do the instruction in KB269075 from the working Windows installation
instead of the Recovery Console. If her Windows 2000 is on a FAT32
partition she can do it from a Windows 9x computer, if her Windows 2000
is on an NTFS partition she will have to mount it in a Windows 2000/XP
machine because Windows 9x cannot read NTFS. An NT4 computer can also
do it providing that it has later service pack to read newer Windows
2000 NTFS version. In a case like that the working Windows is like a
"Super" Recovery Console with all the bells and whistles. Another way
to do the repairs is via a parallel installation on her computer, a
Windows installation on another partition or disk.

I should mention that the outcome of the repair depends greatly on how
old the registry hive that she will be using (to replace the corrupt
one) is. If she never or rarely made Emergency Repair Disks the hives
may be so old that the outcome might be completely unsatisfactory, but
she will be able to at least salvage her data files. One thing about
working from a parallel installation is that you can see the damaged
hive and see how big it is. If the problem is one of size you can try
to reduce the size instead of switching it for an old hive.

John

 

[John John]

If she has a Windows 2000 cd she doesn't need to create a set of floppy
disks, forget about them as she can boot the computer with the Windows
2000 cd then access the Recovery Console and attempt the repairs as per
KB269075. For information on the RC see:

Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

She has tried inserting the Windows 2000CD and accessing the Recovery Console per telecon apparently with Dell, but the computer does nothing when she inserts the CD. This was why I thought possibly of using setup disks etc. She just cannot get it to boot up even with the CD.

Do you think setup disks would work even if the Win2000 CD will not?

Thanks
If she has a Windows 2000 cd she doesn't need to create a set of floppy
disks, forget about them as she can boot the computer with the Windows
2000 cd then access the Recovery Console and attempt the repairs as per
KB269075. For information on the RC see:

Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716

John

 

[John John]

Did she go in the BIOS and set the computer to boot to the CD first?
The Windows 2000 cd is bootable and the computer should boot from it,
but you have to change the boot order in the BIOS and have the cd as the
first booting device. Only if she can't boot with the cd should she
need the floppies in lieu of the cd. Are you sure she has a Window 2000
Operating System (or reinstallation) cd? Maybe she is trying to use a
service pack cd instead.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

She told me that she has the original Win2000 OS CD that came with the computer some years ago, so I assume it is not a Service Pack CD.

You would think that Dell would have gone into the BIOS and set it up to boot on CD, but I have no idea as to what transpired. Dell apparently got it to do something, but she said the same error about booting came back etc. I hate trying to work through someone else like this and I apologize for doing so. Her husband is a close friend of mine is the only reason. If they were closer I would have already gone to their house and checked things out myself, which I most likely will do tomorrow.

You would not know by chance how to access the BIOS on a Dell 4300 would you? I assume F2, F12, or Delete. but really do not know. I need to know the BIOS settings before I try anything as you well know. Her husband can meet me in Savannah tomorrow with the OS CD and I thought that I would try and make the setup disks from it and then later go to their house, check the BIOS and go from there.

One thing that worries me is that she might have corrupted her Registry hive beyond repair, so if you have any comments about this please forward.

Again thanks so much for all you help...
Did she go in the BIOS and set the computer to boot to the CD first?
The Windows 2000 cd is bootable and the computer should boot from it,
but you have to change the boot order in the BIOS and have the cd as the
first booting device. Only if she can't boot with the cd should she
need the floppies in lieu of the cd. Are you sure she has a Window 2000
Operating System (or reinstallation) cd? Maybe she is trying to use a
service pack cd instead.

John

 

[John John]

On all the Dell pc's that I have seen when the computer boots you see a
message telling you which key to press to enter the Setup Program
(BIOS). The documentation here says to press F2.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/syssetup.htm#1097056
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/

I'm quite sure that the CD she has is a complete Windows 2000 operating
system cd, it works the same as a genuine Microsoft cd. If it can't
boot either the cd is defective (scratched, dirty) or the cd-rom drive
is defective, or the BIOS is not set properly.

As I said earlier, I have often found the quality of the repair to be
less than acceptable or desirable when the replacement hives are really
old. Also, I have seen occasions where nothing could be done on the
drive without first running a chkdsk /r . That is a command that I
don't like to run unless all avenues have been exhausted. If you can't
get the installation up to an acceptable condition an in-place upgrade
is the next thing to do:

How to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292175/

You will have to reinstall the latest service pack and hotfixes. DO NOT
connect the unpatched computer to the internet without a properly
configured firewall! As installed Windows 2000 is EXTREMELY vulnerable
to worms and virus if not properly protected. These are what I would
consider as bare minimum on a new Windows 2000 installation:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollup.mspx

The security rollup package contains the critical MS03-049 patch.

John

 

[ColTom2]

HI John:

I will most likely get the OS CD today and then go over to where the computer is tomorrow. I will try and make the setup disks just to have as a backup before I go.

If I have any other questions I will post later today accordingly. I can't begin to express my thanks to you for all your detailed info. No doubt that you have worked on Dell computers before with Win2000 and this same problem.

Again thanks and I will keep you posted as to status and/or outcome.

Thanks again.....

ColTom2
On all the Dell pc's that I have seen when the computer boots you see a
message telling you which key to press to enter the Setup Program
(BIOS). The documentation here says to press F2.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/syssetup.htm#1097056
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/

I'm quite sure that the CD she has is a complete Windows 2000 operating
system cd, it works the same as a genuine Microsoft cd. If it can't
boot either the cd is defective (scratched, dirty) or the cd-rom drive
is defective, or the BIOS is not set properly.

As I said earlier, I have often found the quality of the repair to be
less than acceptable or desirable when the replacement hives are really
old. Also, I have seen occasions where nothing could be done on the
drive without first running a chkdsk /r . That is a command that I
don't like to run unless all avenues have been exhausted. If you can't
get the installation up to an acceptable condition an in-place upgrade
is the next thing to do:

How to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292175/

You will have to reinstall the latest service pack and hotfixes. DO NOT
connect the unpatched computer to the internet without a properly
configured firewall! As installed Windows 2000 is EXTREMELY vulnerable
to worms and virus if not properly protected. These are what I would
consider as bare minimum on a new Windows 2000 installation:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollup.mspx

The security rollup package contains the critical MS03-049 patch.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

I have the Dell CD in hand and it's a Dell "Operating System" Reinstallation CD W2K + SP2 green in color. You asked me previously was it a service pack CD and I replied no, but it is a SP2 CD if that makes any difference.

I was also able to create the setup disks (4) and have then also.

I thought the first thing that I would do is to access the BIOS and see what drive is bootable first and then either use the CD or the setup disks accordingly. What worries me is that Dell tried yesterday using the Dell Reinstallation CD, as mentioned and could not resolve her issue.

If you have any thoughts and/or recommendations at this point on how I should proceed I sure would appreciate them. I am scheduled to go over to her house tomorrow after lunch. Again thanks for all your help.

ColTom2
HI John:

I will most likely get the OS CD today and then go over to where the computer is tomorrow. I will try and make the setup disks just to have as a backup before I go.

If I have any other questions I will post later today accordingly. I can't begin to express my thanks to you for all your detailed info. No doubt that you have worked on Dell computers before with Win2000 and this same problem.

Again thanks and I will keep you posted as to status and/or outcome.

Thanks again.....

ColTom2
On all the Dell pc's that I have seen when the computer boots you see a
message telling you which key to press to enter the Setup Program
(BIOS). The documentation here says to press F2.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/syssetup.htm#1097056
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/

I'm quite sure that the CD she has is a complete Windows 2000 operating
system cd, it works the same as a genuine Microsoft cd. If it can't
boot either the cd is defective (scratched, dirty) or the cd-rom drive
is defective, or the BIOS is not set properly.

As I said earlier, I have often found the quality of the repair to be
less than acceptable or desirable when the replacement hives are really
old. Also, I have seen occasions where nothing could be done on the
drive without first running a chkdsk /r . That is a command that I
don't like to run unless all avenues have been exhausted. If you can't
get the installation up to an acceptable condition an in-place upgrade
is the next thing to do:

How to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292175/

You will have to reinstall the latest service pack and hotfixes. DO NOT
connect the unpatched computer to the internet without a properly
configured firewall! As installed Windows 2000 is EXTREMELY vulnerable
to worms and virus if not properly protected. These are what I would
consider as bare minimum on a new Windows 2000 installation:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollup.mspx

The security rollup package contains the critical MS03-049 patch.

John

 

[John John]

The Dell cd that you have there is the real McCoy. For all intents and
purposes it's almost identical to a Genuine Microsoft cd, except that it
only works on Dell computers. Other than that you wouldn't know the
difference when you use it.

You are on the right track, check the boot order in the BIOS and then
try to boot the computer with the cd and see if you can get to the setup
screen where you get the option to install or repair Windows. From
there things should go well, or as well as can be expected given the
circumstances. Whichever method you end up using to repair the
installation don't forget to reapply Service Pack 4 and patch with the
Security Rollup Package. Given that we don't know the age of her
registry backup don't take chances not applying or reapplying the
patches. I find it easier to download and burn these 2 big items to cd
first, it makes things go a lot faster when you do the fixing part.
Good luck.

John

PS. I don't want to throw to much information at you, but after you fix
her pc you should make her aware of the importance of regularly making
an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) and backing up the registry at the same
time, if she isn't already aware. That is one of the only reliable way
of backing up the Windows 2000 registry, it should be done regularly,
that way when problems arise you have recent registry backups to work
with. She can look in her Windows help files for more information on
how to do it.

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

Thanks so much for both your timely and informative reply once again. Hopefully I can get it to the point where she can create the ERD, as you described. I had thought about this in reading through all the info that you sent me.

One thing that still hangs in my mind that you touched on was running ckkdsk /r, since Dell could not do anything with it, was to run this as the first option rather than the latter. In my mind I feel as though this possibly could help, as I have used it before with pretty good luck. She could have some bad sectors on her hard drive that is preventing complete restoration etc.

If I can get it to boot then I am thinking about trying to run chkdsk /r immediately as the first item of repair. I would like your comments on what you think about this.

Thanks again!

ColTom2
The Dell cd that you have there is the real McCoy. For all intents and
purposes it's almost identical to a Genuine Microsoft cd, except that it
only works on Dell computers. Other than that you wouldn't know the
difference when you use it.

You are on the right track, check the boot order in the BIOS and then
try to boot the computer with the cd and see if you can get to the setup
screen where you get the option to install or repair Windows. From
there things should go well, or as well as can be expected given the
circumstances. Whichever method you end up using to repair the
installation don't forget to reapply Service Pack 4 and patch with the
Security Rollup Package. Given that we don't know the age of her
registry backup don't take chances not applying or reapplying the
patches. I find it easier to download and burn these 2 big items to cd
first, it makes things go a lot faster when you do the fixing part.
Good luck.

John

PS. I don't want to throw to much information at you, but after you fix
her pc you should make her aware of the importance of regularly making
an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) and backing up the registry at the same
time, if she isn't already aware. That is one of the only reliable way
of backing up the Windows 2000 registry, it should be done regularly,
that way when problems arise you have recent registry backups to work
with. She can look in her Windows help files for more information on
how to do it.

 

[John John]

First thing to do is to boot the computer and see if you can launch the
Recovery Console and access the Windows 2000 installation. Then see if
you can do the repairs without doing the chkdsk. If you see that you
can copy, rename and delete the files then the chkdsk should not be
necessary, don't do it unless you have to. When I approach these
computer problems I always take the "if it ain't broke don't fix it"
attitude, do the necessary minimum to get things back to normal. Once
the installation boots up properly then I think it would be a good idea
to do a chkdsk.

Keep in mind that while you are in the Recovery Console your access to
files and folders will (most likely) be restricted and limited. By
default you won't have permissions to most of the files and folders on
the drive, that is a security feature of the Console. You will have
access to the root of any drive, such as C:\ as well as the Windows
folder (\winnt) and the system32 folder (\winnt\system32). You can use
the cd and dir commands to move around and explore but keep the
above in mind. If you or your friend want to see if other files are
still there, like in her "My Documents" folder, you won't be able to see
them. What you see and what is while you are in the Console can be a
bit misleading, don't jump to conclusions.

If, on the other hand, you are sure that you are properly logged on to
the Windows installation and can't rename, copy between folder or delete
files and are getting error messages, or if the "fixed" installation
doesn't want to boot, chances are that there is corruption on the disk
and you will have to do the chkdsk to try to overcome the problem.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

If the system does not want to boot, as mentioned in your last paragraph, then how can I run chkdsk /r at this time?

Also is Windows 2000 still supported by Microsoft with Windows Updates or has support for this system been discontinued?

Thanks,

ColTom2
First thing to do is to boot the computer and see if you can launch the
Recovery Console and access the Windows 2000 installation. Then see if
you can do the repairs without doing the chkdsk. If you see that you
can copy, rename and delete the files then the chkdsk should not be
necessary, don't do it unless you have to. When I approach these
computer problems I always take the "if it ain't broke don't fix it"
attitude, do the necessary minimum to get things back to normal. Once
the installation boots up properly then I think it would be a good idea
to do a chkdsk.

Keep in mind that while you are in the Recovery Console your access to
files and folders will (most likely) be restricted and limited. By
default you won't have permissions to most of the files and folders on
the drive, that is a security feature of the Console. You will have
access to the root of any drive, such as C:\ as well as the Windows
folder (\winnt) and the system32 folder (\winnt\system32). You can use
the cd and dir commands to move around and explore but keep the
above in mind. If you or your friend want to see if other files are
still there, like in her "My Documents" folder, you won't be able to see
them. What you see and what is while you are in the Console can be a
bit misleading, don't jump to conclusions.

If, on the other hand, you are sure that you are properly logged on to
the Windows installation and can't rename, copy between folder or delete
files and are getting error messages, or if the "fixed" installation
doesn't want to boot, chances are that there is corruption on the disk
and you will have to do the chkdsk to try to overcome the problem.

John

 

[John John]

Chkdsk will run from the Recovery Console. You can still get security
updates for Windows 2000 by using Internet Explorer and going to the
Windows update site. Microsoft will issue security fixes and updates
for Windows 2000 until about mid 2010.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

Thanks and I will advise you tomorrow evening sometime as to how things went. Again I am most appreciative for all your timely responses.

ColTom2
Chkdsk will run from the Recovery Console. You can still get security
updates for Windows 2000 by using Internet Explorer and going to the
Windows update site. Microsoft will issue security fixes and updates
for Windows 2000 until about mid 2010.

John

 

[John John]

You're welcome and good luck. Just remember that unless the drive is
toast her data is almost surely all intact and recoverable. Keep your
cool, if things don't pan out you can salvage the data by other means
and reinstall Windows from scratch.

John

 

[ColTom2]

Hi John:

Well you cannot believe what happened. I tried the repair procedures 2 or 3 times and never could get a good repair, as it always went back to that same original error. I did have to change the BIOS boot settings.

Finally did the complete reinstall, although the instructions for it was not all that great. Felt real good at this point; however, when I tried to connect to the internet with Comcast (Broadband) I could not get it to connect. Opened Device Manager up and there were five items with the big yellow question mark. Checked these out and the reason was none had divers and she could not find a CD with appropriate drivers on it. Called Dell and got a tech to give me the specific drivers that I needed over the phone and downloaded them to my laptop and burned a CD for installation.

All driver installations went well except for the last which was for Network Adapters (Ethernet etc). The tech said that the computer was shipped with a CNET adapter and I tried all CNET drivers, but none worked. Apparently she had someone work on the computer and they replaced the CNET adapter and I have no idea how to determine the adapter and corresponding drivers.

The computer is completely restored back to full working order except for this, which was somewhat upsetting to say the least.

Do you have any idea how I could identify the Adapter so I could obtain an appropriate driver for it? Never had this problem before.........

Again without your help I would never have gotten her operating system back up. Thanks again for all your professional help and if you have any idea as to what I can do now please advise me accordingly.

ColTom2
You're welcome and good luck. Just remember that unless the drive is
toast her data is almost surely all intact and recoverable. Keep your
cool, if things don't pan out you can salvage the data by other means
and reinstall Windows from scratch.

John