I'm concerned about loosing files in shared documents folder and other settings when doing a repair install by starting my pc from the windows cd-rom, On reading the MS article, it says that pc that came preinstalled with windows are affected by this issue.. Mine came with xp home initially but i have it reformatted for the installation of xp professional by a repair shop. so i don't know if my system still applies. some of the methods described to prevent this were to either:
-install the Windows XP Update Package, November 19, 2001, by using the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
(since my pc is unable to start windows [it throws the error: windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\s
to repair this file start the windows installation program fom the diskette or CD ROM; press "R" in the first display to initiate the repair."] so, can i use another pc to download from the ms download center instead? and save it to a cd )
-Manually delete the Undo_guimode.txt file from the Windows\System32 folder. NOTE: If you are using Recovery Console or an MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows boot floppy disk, the steps to delete the file are slightly different.
(I can't even start in safe mode to delete this, so any other way to delete? and how do i use the recovery console to do it, i don't think i have it installed, also how do i create a boot disk. For as the windows xp cd is the only thing i have.)
-When you are prompted by Setup to get updated Setup files, click Yes, download the updated Setup files (Recommended), and then click Next. This option is not available if you are repairing Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, pressing ENTER to set up Windows XP, and then pressing R to repair the selected installation. (so how do i get prompted for update, i mean which repair do i choose other than from the cd and still not loose system settings or data in "all users" folder)
--the other remaining method like:
"update to latest service pack" i think does not apply to me as i already have sp2
hope you can help, i will increase the points gradually.
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yes, but i'm afraid of loosing data if i repair Windows XP by starting from the Windows XP CD-ROM, pressing ENTER to set up Windows XP, and then pressing R to repair the selected installation as described in article http://support.microsoft.c
"You may lose data that is stored in the All Users folder and default program templates and settings that are stored in the Default User folder after you reinstall, repair, or upgrade Windows XP. You may be missing Start menu shortcuts, items in the Startup group, and documents, pictures, or music files that are stored in the Shared Documents folder."
This is not part of your profile.....Shouldnt be affected....Never lost data doing a repair install....
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenst
ok this is what u do here is your problem on boot you get this \windows\system32\config\s
Make a copy of the registry now first
md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\system32\config
delete c:\windows\system32\config
delete c:\windows\system32\config
delete c:\windows\system32\config
delete c:\windows\system32\config
delete c:\windows\system32\config
*just incase an access denied pops up while you are trying to do the below steps*
to get rid of the access denied go back into recovery console and rename the system file to system.bak here are the commands. I dont think you will get this error because this is the reason you are here now is these files are bad but just incase u do here is how to fix it.
Type cd \ and press the <Enter> key.
Type cd windows\system32\config and press the <Enter> key.
Type ren system system.bak and press the <Enter> key.
Type exit and press the <Enter> key.
Restart the computer.
**************************
Then do this to get the snapshot you need from recovery console
type
cd \
enter
cd system~1
enter
cd _resto~1
enter
dir
inside it there are several folders named RP1, RP2. These are restore points. RP1 is the oldest restore point.
so say you want to use rp3
cd rp3
enter
cd snapshot
enter
copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config
copy _registry_machine_software
copy _registry_machine_security
copy _registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config
copy _registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config
type exit and you should boot right up to windows.
Only in those areas that are in that first article possibly. Will definately have to reinstall some apps...And any data in the program file folder might get overwritten...And I seriously doubt you have data stored in the All users and default profile folders...Maybe the Shared document folders.....
I wouold still lean toward's Venom's suggestion about maually restoring the registry, then you wouldnt need to worry about losing data of ANY kind...
cayi it was infact a clean install but you rerall should just proceed with my suggestion and the worries of losing data are not a factor all you will be doing is restoring the registry back to that day. If this is the message u are getting \windows\system32\config\s
i tried a somewht similar solution by renaming the system and copying from the repair directory into the c:\windows\system32\config
but at the recovery console prompt i'm stuck at changing to that directory, cause nothing happens when i press enter, that is i get the c:\windows> prompt. i tried typing in these (i even tried one folder at a time)
cd windows\system32\config
cd c:\windows\system32\config
cd system32
also windows could not load neither in safe or normal mode. after the windows logo I will get a dialog box labeled services.exe saying that services (0xc00006) cannot initialize. this error is the one i'm getting now and not the other about missing \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\S
(I couldn't fix this cuz of prob changing to the directory so I took out the windows cd(I running recovery console from it) and shut down at the boot error screen (in the bios, the first boot device was set to cd) then i powered on and this error strangely did not apper anymore.)
just let me add that i would not get the services.exe error without getting a blue screen first, in fact my system has been showing blue screens (when i did not even had any of the errors described in my previos comment), and to get successfully to the welcome screen i would have to powered on many times. (i think have now corrupted windows doing this when those errors ocurred)
the only time i did not see the blue screen and the windows logo was when i got the first error "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\
and later I got services.exe as i told you
anyway a comp tech said it is a disk and windows problem cuz the blue screen error is 0x7b (0xf7980528, 0xc0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000), and told me he tried copying the whole drive set as slave on his pc, but that the drive would'nt let him as it was throwing a write error, he could see the contents but not manage the drive. so do u think he has to disable simple file sharing on his folder options as i did on mine to be able to see more options in the security tab and to take ownership from there. and will knoppix recover the data on my hd if still denied access
cayi using the version from inside the \repair folder will not work you would have to reload all the files and that method is using a registry set from the very first boot you ever did with windows which will more than likely lose all your program files. Please proceed with ALL the commands i showed you above and you will get it fixed.
johnb6767, you mean yes to disabling simple file sharin?
and what other configuration in my hd might deny access, I recall that i change something using gpedit.msc and disable some services according to tips on securing windows.
venom96737, the problem is that if i'm getting "invalid path" at changing the dir. (i typed at the windows prompt: cd system32 )then how likely the recovery console would accept any command i enter.
IF i do a repair install after entering windows setup, would that achive the same results (without loosing data) like the method you suggested. as long as my windows installation is not an oem?
"but that the drive would'nt let him as it was throwing a write error"
concerns me the most now.... Could very wqell be hard drive failure...I would download the manufacturers diagnostic utility, and test it prior to going any further....
Simple file sharing isnt stopping your friend from copying the HDD...Thats for sharing files to other networked PC's....
MSConfig is a simple utility to disable some services from starting, but you have to be careful what not to disable....
And something keeps bothering me here...You have been talking about services errors....And also a corrupted system file.....you cannot boot to windows at all right now? What about safe mode command prompt only? If so, then you can launch system restore from there, and posibly be done with it all...If the hdd isnt failing of course....
How to Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt
http://support.microsoft.c
specificly which services in msconfig or in services.msc and what about the configuration in gpedit.msc
yes, i cannot boot to windows, it shows the services.exe error instead.
and cannot enter safe mode command pronpt only (i tried this when i had the drive, now it's with the repair guy
if the hdd is failing what are my options to recover all the data? you said to run the diag utility and then where do i go from there?
Maybe Data recovery software?
EasyRecovery™ Professional
http://ontrack.com/easyrec
You can install this onto a good PC, and get the data off it this drive once it is slaved up (like you originally had your friend try..). May not get everything, but it is worth a try. Personally, one of the best DR soiftware titles out there.
well cd system32 is an invalid path cd windows\system32 is the correct path if u just follow my directions to the keystroke you will be fine. Thats all im saying if you still doubt it than you can try whatever other methods you like but if u follow all my instructions exactly like i posted you wont have a problem.
even with the correct one, it says invalid path.
he used that recovery soft from ontrack and also tried the "R" repair option in the set up windows screen but then the file verification process or the like stops running at around 35%. all to no avail. wouldn't doing those further damage the drive if it was already clicking? so what are my chances if i send my drive to a recovery data center in the U.S?
If he was getting denied, then he can take ownership of the files...
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.c
sorry it wasn't "access denied" ,
I was wondering what sound would come from a damage platter, i found a site(acsdata.com) that has compiled some hard drive sounds in mp3 there was one named "head stuck with platter" but that's not the one i hear on my drive. I can assure you that is a clicking noise
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by: johnb6767Posted on 2007-01-25 at 11:31:29ID: 18398573
Whats the ultimate problem?
"windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\s
Is that what you are trying to recover from?
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.c