worded
asked on
Windows (xp) cound not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \windows\system32\config\system
................ Repair at startup select "r" using original cd ...
The original CD is an image image cd by compaq. I have other cds with same op sys.
Who says try a repair using a windows cd?
Who says - reinstall the lot using the recovery cd supplied?
Personally I find these repairs rarely work, what say you?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Yes a Repair install will often work, but I dont like having to go back and reapply updates. You are not *supposed* to lose data, have to reinstall apps using the repair method, but I have been burned too many times, which is why I wouldnt even attempt it without a backup of the user data......
The steps above are a "straight to the point" version of the below, plus tyou dont need to worry about the OEM warning.....
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP ...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
The steps above are a "straight to the point" version of the below, plus tyou dont need to worry about the OEM warning.....
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP ...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
ASKER
Ive backed up data.
I have winternals and Im going to give it a go.
Whats the latest version of winternals?
Not sure about the latest version I have 2005 and it works well for my needs.
ASKER
Winternals did the job.
Booted up to a message saying a system file had been repaired.
Rebooted and fixed.
Easy as pie.
Still does not work after replacing these files.
The BIOS does not report system time and date. Could that be the issue?
The BIOS does not report system time and date. Could that be the issue?
Checked the time in a boot environment, that is also NOT the problem!
Take a look at buring one of these below tools (UBCD4WIN is ready to burn once it is downloaded). It gives you a Windows Graphical environment to make these changes... Or just slave the drive.....
Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
UBCD4Win
http://www.ubcd4win.com
Boot to one of those utilites above, and go to the a43 Explorer utility. Navigate to the "C:\Windows\System32\Confi
Rename the following files....DO NOT DELETE THEM....
Rename system to system.old
Rename software to software.old
Rename sam to sam.old
Rename security to security.old
Rename default to default.old
Go into the "System_Volume_Information
Select the "Restore Folder"
Then you will see folders with RP50, RP51 etc... Look for the highest number, as it is the newest one. Go into that folder and copy the following files to the "C:\Windows\System32\Confi
registry_machine_system
registry_machine_software
registry_machine_security
registry_machine_sam
registry_user_.default
Now, go back to the "C:\Windows\System32\Confi
Remove the "registry_machine_" from the 5 files you just copied.
Restart the machine, and remove the bootable disc you were using....
If it boots successfully, go to "System Restore" in the Help menu, and do a full restore to a few days back.... This will ensure that all of the files are restored to the proper restore point, not just the registry files you fixed....
Of course, if you just want to go through this process with just the SYSTEM file, you can do it by itself if you want. If you still get the error, or a Blue Screen of Death upon the next boot, simply go back and redo the other 4 files....