Question

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt : \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM on XP

Asked by: cogit

On a XP machine the following error...

 Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt : \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

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Asked On
2004-05-04 at 15:41:49ID20978033
Tags

start

,

could

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because

,

windows

,

missing

Topic

Miscellaneous Networking

Participating Experts
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Comments
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Related Solutions

  1. Missing or corrupt \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYS
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Answers

 

Expert Comment

by: sunray_2003Posted on 2004-05-04 at 16:23:31ID: 10991875

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by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-04 at 16:46:44ID: 10991942

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by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-04 at 16:47:44ID: 10991946

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Expert Comment

by: cogitPosted on 2004-05-04 at 21:35:16ID: 10992971

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by: xterminatorPosted on 2004-05-05 at 02:49:35ID: 10994436

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by: gnegrotaPosted on 2004-05-05 at 06:23:31ID: 10995726

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Expert Comment

by: cogitPosted on 2004-05-05 at 10:06:31ID: 10997926

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Expert Comment

by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-05 at 10:23:43ID: 10998074

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Expert Comment

by: cogitPosted on 2004-05-05 at 16:48:50ID: 11000975

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Expert Comment

by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-05 at 20:57:10ID: 11002164

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Accepted Solution

by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-05 at 20:59:33ID: 11002172

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Expert Comment

by: cogitPosted on 2004-05-06 at 12:59:00ID: 11009271

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Expert Comment

by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-06 at 13:38:58ID: 11009624

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by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-06 at 13:42:21ID: 11009655

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by: jonoakleyPosted on 2004-05-06 at 13:52:03ID: 11009732

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Expert Comment

by: cogitPosted on 2004-05-06 at 20:29:05ID: 11011761

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by: alagwinPosted on 2004-06-02 at 16:28:53ID: 11217799

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by: sponyzPosted on 2004-06-06 at 12:29:43ID: 11244670

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by: copdawgPosted on 2004-11-05 at 19:06:32ID: 12511091

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by: WampyrePosted on 2005-01-29 at 03:00:12ID: 13170786

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