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Boot utility to run chkdsk on NTFS partitioned drive.

Hi,

I have a machine brought in by a home user that is getting error "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \windows\system32\config\system"

After booting off XP CD to run recovery console > chkdsk /r but as soon as I select the Windows installation number under recovery console the machine gets a BSOD stating BAD_POOL_CALLER with STOP 0x000000c2 (0x00000043, 0xc3e3D000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000). Also get the same BSOD if you try to use XP install disk to run a recovery installation.

I have removed the harddrive from the original PC and placed into test bed PC to eliminate the possibility of hardware issues such as a modem or memory.

All I can think of now is to find a boot utility that will let me boot up and run chkdsk on the NTFS partition and hope for the best, anyone know where such a utility disk exists on the net or any other ideas on how to correct this issue.

Thanks!

Steven

dundeemedia

Did you try putting it in another pc and using the recovery console again - that _might_ work?

Or, you could create a Bart PE cd ( http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ ), I find it essential! - more

rockfly

ASKER

Yes to your question dundee, I have retried the recovery console in the new pc with identical results. I will try Bart PE now. Thanks.

CZinke

After you put the HDD into another PC did you try to run the recovery console again? It may have been a bad CD drive or memory. Also corrupted BIOS could cause similar issues.

Also, when it is in the origional PC could you try to go into Safe Mode? If so then you could try to do a System Restore to an earlier date.

If this still don't work you may try to use Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ This should have a checkdisk utiliy and also has a System Restore option. Good luck!

dundeemedia

The BAD_POOL_CALLER points towards a memory issue, but I'm sure i've seen something similar before with a bad hard drive. I'd get the data off it before doing a chkdsk (bartpe or ultimate boot cd both have network support, although UBCD has better driver support) and then low level format, and reinstall!

rockfly

ASKER

CZinke the PC will not boot up to the safe mode selection screen so that is a no go.

CZinke

OK, I would definately try the Ultimate Boot CD. It will allow you to attatch to a Windows installation similar to how you use the Recovery Console except you have a user interface. But as Dundee mentioned before you definatley want to recover the data before going much farther in case it is the HDD.

rockfly

ASKER

CZinke I left out that step but I actually have used the Ultimate Boot CD, ran one of its utilities to check for errors on the harddisk came back all green and good. Went to the utility on the UB CD that allows you to load the hives and got a BSOD with the same BAD_POOL_CALLER error. Back to Dundee will this Bart PE CD mount and allow me to run chkdsk /r against an NTFS partition. Thanks again.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

dundeemedia

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fadilshamirkhan

To be honest, if i were you, i would install xp on a spare hard drive and i would just back up the person's data, then i would format and reload...

It would be the easiest thing to do...

rockfly

ASKER

Dundee's last suggestion did the trick, back up and running. Thanks everyone for the help.

rockfly

ASKER

Worked perfect. Thank you.

ragnarockadam

It may be fixed but for the future, there is a very easy way to fix this....

Get "Windows Ultimate Boot CD" with this you will have a GUI that you can just go into explorer, open system volume information find the system,software,sam,defaul,and security files. Copy them into c:\windows\system32\config. and vwalla your done, it boots to windows as if you just performed a system restore to a couple days back....

For a more detailed explaination let me know