help windows\system32\config\system missing

[cyberrat]

im not an xp user but im trying to help out my daughter
this is what we are getting

windows could not start because the following file i mising or corrupt:
\windows\ytem32\onfig\system

you can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the orginal setup CD-rom.
Selet "r" a the first sreen to start repair


will this delete all her downloaded files? is there a way to start xp in msdos mode and do a regedit instead? i had this happen with w98 and doing a regedit saved me anyone have any ideas
thank

[Tex]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

[cyberrat]

Hello this is the daughter in quetion in the above post. I'm really a computer newbie, so i have no idea where to begin on this. Can you post instructions / walk through that i'd understand? Thanks! :confused:

[Tex]

Sure. boot from the XP cd. Can you do that? Or do you need more simple instructions that tell ya how to do that too? I'm not jacking with ya, just need to know how low to target the level of instructions. There is no need for me to go through and write down here a bunch of extra steps you may know how to do now.

If you can boot from the XP cd let me know and I'll start there or I"ll walk you through getting that far if you can't get at least booted from the CD.

If you can boot and the file system isnt corrupt you just let it keep booting. It makes you hit enter or something saying you want to install, then it asks if you want to repair using recovery console and for now say "n" a few minutes later it looks for your old installs and if the disk file system is OK it should show you the disk and directory on whcih XP is installed and ask if you want to repair the existing installation and at that point I think it makes you even hit "R" for repair.

If it ever asks you to format or create a partition DON'T DO IT ! It shouldn't ask you on a repair install. So if you see that in any way we have deeper problems. BAIL OUT. Do not proceed.

As long as you do a repair install it keeps all your files and programs etc... but its got to be a repair not a fresh install. And its the second prompt about repairing NOT the first one asking if you want to use recovery console. Its only a total of like three mouse clicks and hitting "R" to get the repair going!

You can even call me on the phone and I'll walk you through it while your on the phone if your worried or in a hurry. This sounds scary but its not. Will take 5 to 10 minutes to get ya going on the phone depending on if we have other problems etc.. Get the XP cd and let me know when your ready to start if you want phone assistance. Look at it this way. I do this professionaly and your getting $100 an hour free tech support for the price of a phone call. And yes thats a great reason to pass www.short-media.com along to your friends at school or college. Very few if any web sites will actually have profesionals willing to give out their phone number and offer free tech support to other members like this. And its one reason short-media is so very cool.

Tex

[cyberrat]

cant get it to boot from the cd cd run and then we get the same message as before

[Tex]

What kind of computer? Can you get into the bios when you boot (most computers that are not Dells or Compaqs you hit the delete key right as it starts to boot) and it will have a option to set the "boot drive order" usually in the second or third option on the main menu. Make sure the cdrom is before the hard drive in the boot order because its not booting from the cd but just the hard drive right now.

let me know if I can help

Tex

[prolax23]

What kind of computer? Can you get into the bios when you boot (most computers that are not Dells or Compaqs you hit the delete key right as it starts to boot) and it will have a option to set the "boot drive order" usually in the second or third option on the main menu. Make sure the cdrom is before the hard drive in the boot order because its not booting from the cd but just the hard drive right now.

let me know if I can help

Tex

I am expriencing the same problem as the user your were helping in this thread. I have follwed all the above mentioned steps to no avail. I have tried changing the boot drive order but still the windows xp home cd will not load on startup and i am given the same message "windows cannot star because the following file is missing or corrupt : /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM "

Your timely help would be greatly appreciated.

[profdlp]

Can you give some info about your rig?

The motherboard brand and model would be particularly helpful. :)

[Shorty]

I am expriencing the same problem as the user your were helping in this thread. I have follwed all the above mentioned steps to no avail. I have tried changing the boot drive order but still the windows xp home cd will not load on startup and i am given the same message "windows cannot star because the following file is missing or corrupt : /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM "

Your timely help would be greatly appreciated.
Your "system" is your registry hive. It has become corrupt, probably from an improper shutdown. I have linked this several times in other threads and the success has always been good :)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Any problems, please post and do let us know how you get on :)

[Tex]

I'm getting it from time to time right now with my DFI NF4 board (that I hate btw...).

The "corrupt : /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM"

Won't install off the friggin XP cd. Just reboots in a loop after loading drivers....

I can turn it off for 4 hours and come back. Hit the power an it boots fine. Runs for 3 or 4 days 24/7. Then I get some BSOD and when I boot I get that error also. can't load a fresh windows from the cd or anything. You can mess around trying crap forever and it won't boot into XP.

If I unplug the sorry POS and just walk away and 3 or 4 hours, I come back later I hit the power it boots normal. And will run PERFECT for 3 or 4 days.

Now WTF is happening here?

Memory is Corsair Twinmoss. Tests perfect with a memory tester for 24 hours. Only card in it is a ATI x600 pci-e video. Bios is at all defaults. I have tried boosting voltage for memory, cpu, chipset etc... doesnt help at all.

I have the latest drivers from nvidia and ATI all installed. One dvd burner and one WD 250gb drive with a 530w psu. Voltages look fine. The machine isnt being stressed. Its used to surf the internet and burn DVD's mostly right now.

Tex

[Jadednorman]

I think I have the exact same problem, only my file system is probably corrupt, It wont recognize my previous install when I try to repair the windows installation... could someone please help me! I've posted my problem on another thread here (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?p=308894#post308894) Thanks

[clivro]

Hi all,

I have been experiencing the same problem with the DFI Lanparty NF4 SLI-DR mobo on the machine I have just built. The problem seems to be that the registry hive .....\windows\system32\config\system is being corrupted due to an improper shutdown. I have not been able to trace the cause, but the following fix allows me to boot back into Windows XP. In my case this has worked every time and that must be at least twenty or thirty times now (I too am beginning to hate the DFI board)!

Boot from Windows XP Install CD
Press R for recovery console
Select the number for the OS (in my case 1. C:\WINDOWS)
This should result in a prompt C:\WINDOWS
At the prompt type "fixmbr" (no quotes)
A warning will display stating the mbr is not standard or corrupt (or words to that effect) do you wish to continue? Type "y" (no quotes)
the new mbr should then be successfully written to the hard disk.
Type "exit" (no quotes) at the prompt, the system will reboot and all SHOULD be well.

A word of warning care should be execised if you multiboot into different OS's as this may prevent the system accessing a custom boot loader, but for single operating systems it should be fine. As I said before it works 100% of the time for me.

I still have to find the cause of the improper shutdown, but will post back if I have any success.

[Straight_Man]

I'm getting it from time to time right now with my DFI NF4 board (that I hate btw...).

The "corrupt : /WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM"

Won't install off the friggin XP cd. Just reboots in a loop after loading drivers....

I can turn it off for 4 hours and come back. Hit the power an it boots fine. Runs for 3 or 4 days 24/7. Then I get some BSOD and when I boot I get that error also. can't load a fresh windows from the cd or anything. You can mess around trying crap forever and it won't boot into XP.

If I unplug the sorry POS and just walk away and 3 or 4 hours, I come back later I hit the power it boots normal. And will run PERFECT for 3 or 4 days.

Now WTF is happening here?

Memory is Corsair Twinmoss. Tests perfect with a memory tester for 24 hours. Only card in it is a ATI x600 pci-e video. Bios is at all defaults. I have tried boosting voltage for memory, cpu, chipset etc... doesnt help at all.

I have the latest drivers from nvidia and ATI all installed. One dvd burner and one WD 250gb drive with a 530w psu. Voltages look fine. The machine isnt being stressed. Its used to surf the internet and burn DVD's mostly right now.

Tex


Sounds like overheating, possibly the HD embedded card components-- is that part of HD dusty, so no flow can occur to the ICs on that embedded card???

That would explain why HD sometimes finds data (system part of registry hive set) and then sometimes goes wonky...... ESPECIALLY if this happens mostly during the summer months.

I'm having to keep room temps below 80 to run XP and Linux (multiple computers) reliably for very long periods here. And my HDs get cleaned also to get dust off them-- air can type or air blower (Datavac blower\vac, ESD safe).

Fainter but possible for some folks is a HD with not enough power getting to it (so it is not spinning up to normal speed) because other components are grabbing too much from a marginally too small PSU, or overheating because damaged or not big enough PSU.

[Tex]

Its a TTGI PSU with 500 watts to power one ide drive and one dvd burner at the moment. Same psu powered my amd64 3200+ msi neo with two ide drives and two 15k scsi drives and a pair of cd burners.

Its a clear acylic case with zero dust. Side panel is off right now.

Temps (I live in the mountains) is never above 65 degrees in this room. The cpu is hitting low 40's. It runs 24/7 for days........... then I get a BSOD. Changes every time about exactly what its bitching about.

Then it won't boot. Says the file is corrupt.... Won't run the XP install. memtest will run perfect for 24 hours though.

Walk away for 3 or 4 hours and the SOB will boot up perfect. You know this is sort of a pain when its a work PC.

But if the file was actually corrupt then walking away wouldn't magically fix it.

I used to keep a small wooden stake, a cross and a real silver bullet in my brief case for fixing problems of this type.

I actually had an employee supply me with the silver bullet as a gift.

When your fighting problems of th "zombie/undead" is type they are invaluable tools.

Why do I think that a friggin new ASUS motherboard would end my nightmares? I hate this DFI board

Tex

[Greg.]

Its a TTGI PSU with 500 watts to power one ide drive and one dvd burner at the moment. Same psu powered my amd64 3200+ msi neo with two ide drives and two 15k scsi drives and a pair of cd burners.

Its a clear acylic case with zero dust. Side panel is off right now.

Temps (I live in the mountains) is never above 65 degrees in this room. The cpu is hitting low 40's. It runs 24/7 for days........... then I get a BSOD. Changes every time about exactly what its bitching about.

Then it won't boot. Says the file is corrupt.... Won't run the XP install. memtest will run perfect for 24 hours though.

Walk away for 3 or 4 hours and the SOB will boot up perfect. You know this is sort of a pain when its a work PC.

But if the file was actually corrupt then walking away wouldn't magically fix it.

I used to keep a small wooden stake, a cross and a real silver bullet in my brief case for fixing problems of this type.

I actually had an employee supply me with the silver bullet as a gift.

When your fighting problems of th "zombie/undead" is type they are invaluable tools.

Why do I think that a friggin new ASUS motherboard would end my nightmares? I hate this DFI board

Tex

Hey,

I'm aslo having the same problem on an older DFI board (AK74-EC) about 5 years old. I have 2 of these machines, and they've always been a bit ordinary, although in general have been much more useful under XP. Even so, this problem seems to be a NEW one. Both my boards had 750 MHz Duron until the weekend, when one was replaced with a 950 MHz Athlon. I did this as I suspected a faulty processor. Anyway, all was fine for about 4 days ..... then the crash (again!!!) and '/windows/system32/config/system missing or corrupt' message. Doesn't matter how long I leave it .... it doesn't repair itself! Managed to recover by booting on another drive, copying the 'repair' system file .... AND installing SP2 again, as some programs were screwy!

As only one of the machines is playing up it would seem to be something at the motherboard level causing the problem .... BUT WHAT!!! Having read your discussions I'm most suspicious of localised overheating of the processor ... maybe due to a poor quality socket or inadequate fan .... but don't really have a clue! If you come across any other likely causes I'd like to know!!!

Thanks,
Greg

[vivian]

Hi, I have experienced the same problem and It lasts since I bought the computer. I'm now even wondering whether there is something wrong with my computer hardware instead of the windows xp software! I saw someone's comments on this problem b4 in a website and it says it is because of the poor quality RAM!! is that true? I'm very annoyed with this problem and my pc never runs ok. Thanks for any help.

[Greg.]

Vivian,

Alll I'd say is that it COULD be the RAM. I've been reluctant to turn on my troublesome machine lately, as the other is working fine. At the moment, I know the problem machine is running with relatively new RAM, and I have been suspicious ... but I also know I have swapped RAM between the machines recently as well! The machine is so basic, RAM and processor were the only options. In my case, I'm still most suspicious of bad connections, either to the processor, RAM or drives.

When faced with a similar problem a while ago, I even resorted to spraying the CPU pins with CRC. I expected a disaster, but to my surprise that problem seemed to disappear. I wouldn't recommend trying this unless your quite prepared to invest in a new machine if necessary!!!! When you're talking 750MHz Duron, you don't have much to lose!!!!!

Greg

[clivro]

Hi all,

I found all my problems were caused by a particularly picky memory controller on my AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 'Winchester Core' and/or the ABIT AN8 motherboard. Now I have removed the second 512MB memory module, which was part of an OCZ matched pair, I have no further problems.

This saga with the Winchester core CPU started off life when it was in my other rig, which has a Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI motherboard. With 2x Corsair CMX512-3200C2 DDR400 modules bought as a TWINX1024-3200C2 kit the thing would not POST in dual channel mode. I tested the memory (memtest86 and windiag) no problems. So off I went and bought a matched pair of 2x Crucial Ballistix PC3200 512MB DDR400 memory modules and replaced the Corsair. Still no POST in dual channel mode. Tested the RAM, no problems. Fuming I then ordered an AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 'Venice Core' and all my problems went away and I have 2GB of double sided RAM occupying all four slots at DDR 400!

I returned the AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 'Winchester Core' to AMD for replacement under warranty and the replacement is now I believe causing the problems in the ABIT rig. I realise that the ABIT board will only run at DDR333 with all four slots occupied, but I can't even populate two without severe memory corruption problems.

Having got hold of WinDBG, a Microsoft crash dump debugger I can now see that all my problems which Microsoft Error reporting variously described as a a bad device driver or a bad graphics driver, were in fact memory corruption problems. The only solution seems to me to be upgrade to at least a 'venice core', but as this is my test machine I'll carry on with 512MB of ram and total stability in the short term!

Regards,

Clivro

[clivro]

Hello again,

Well reading this thread motivated me to look at the problem again! Although I had tried all sorts of memory timings with the Gigabyte board it did no good because the previous CPU memory controller was defective.

However, I had left all the DRAM timings at auto on the ABIT board so I thought I'd give it a try!

Hallelujah, with 2x 512MB memory module kit OCZ4001024v3DC-K memory timings set at: -

CAS 3
(did have some problems at 2.5; screen freeze, and dreaded windows\sytem32\config\system missing or corrupt message so relaxed it to 3)
TRCD 4
TRP 4
TRAS 8

Command Rate 2T

It all seems really stable now with the 1GB dual channel memory configuration. I'm going to give it a hammering and will report any problems if they occur.

I hope this info might help somebody!

clivro

[jradmin]

Tex, just break down and get the Asus board. I love my A8N :)

[bernie]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

[bernie]

Tex: I have the same problem but only have the MS-DOS startup disc available. My Sony came with OEM install and recovery discs only. How do I correct this?

Thanks,

Bernie

[Tex]

It wipes your disk out and restores to its original state.

I hate to ask but... You probably need to backup your stuff right?

PM or email me. Are you running XP home or XP pro now?

Tex

[bernie]

Fortunately I have everything backed-up but sure do hate to have to use the restore disk and lose all my other applications too. Quick question I have backed up my primary drive toanother hard disk which I am using now and have booted from it. I can download a Windows XP Pro edition for a reasonable fee. Can I just overwrite the Windows XP home edition with the Windows XP edition? Thanks, Bernie

[Tex]

You can't "upgrade" home to XP pro. You can basicaly erase the old one and reinstall. But that does not save the old installed apps and stuff. With XP you usually need to reinstall apps as they make a bunch of rewistry entries.

Why not just get XP home?

Tex

[bernie]

Will that overwrite the old one and save my other apps? You are really a great help and I appreciate your attention to my problem. Carl S.

[Tex]

It probably will not destroy the "programs" directory but none of those programs are going to be installed anymore. That would be an "upgrade".

Your doing a fresh install and will start from scratch.

Tex

[b1llyw]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

Sorry to pull up this old post. I was referred to this site for help. I'm having a similar problem. Apparently, it does not see my old install. Can you walk me throught that repair? I'd be VERY grateful, lol.

[Tex]

If it does not see the old install it's not seeing the boot.ini file in the root directory. It doesnt really look through the disks for previous installs it just reads the boot.ini.

Try running chkdsk on the root partitioin as it's probably corrupted and needs cleaned.

Boot from the XP cd. Go to recovery conmsole which is a command prompt. run chkdsk on the boot partition.

Tex

[Opicana]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

I am having the same problem as the daughter in the original post. I have a Dell and I use Windows XP Pro. I have tried a few suggested methods like chkdisk and fixboot, but they have not worked. I tried following your instructions to get to the repair by...

Booting from the Windows XP Pro Reinstallation disk that came with my computer.

Then I get options to set up XP, go to the Recovery console and to quit. I hit enter to go to the setup.

I agreed to the license agreement. Then it gives me three options: Setup XP on a selected item, create partion and delete partition. Do I select C and choose setup?
Thanks!
-Opicana

[Greg.]

Hi there,

I resolved my repeatedly occurring problem :) :) :

windows could not start because the following file is mising or corrupt:
\windows\sytem32\config\system

by enabling BIOS settings which had been previously disabled .... I assume for a good reason! To be honest I can't even identify which setting fixed the problem, as I turned on several as a desperate last attempt before scrapping the machine. I know they included BIOS shadowing and HD SMART settings .... but there were others. If anyone is interested I'll note the current BIOS settings. Since adjusting the BIOS the machine hasn't missed a beat. Prior to this it would run for varying lengths of time (up to 24 hours or so) and then crash with the warning above. I must have re-installed XP half a dozen times or more!! Machine has now been running fine for a few weeks.

Hope this is of use to someone.

[Siggy]

OK i was getting this message when trying to load Windows XP (all explained in another thread) After reading this I changed my 2 (very expensive) 512MB RAM and all is now well again boot - enter BIOS - change BIOS everything is OK ------FOR NOW,

[Greg.]

Hi,

Are you saying that changing the BIOS settings fixed your problem as well?
Certainly fixed mine! Just a pity it took me so long to find the cause.

Greg

[Tex]

no he swapped the ram. suggesting the spd settings on some high end ram probably is causing probs with some bios settings. And slowing down the ram timing settings probably helps.

Tex

[Siggy]

Hi,

Are you saying that changing the BIOS settings fixed your problem as well?
Certainly fixed mine! Just a pity it took me so long to find the cause.

Greg
No Tex is right - I swapped my 1GB high end Ram with generic ram and it is running perfectly well now - touch wood.
I have no idea why it suddenly decided that it didnt like it after 6 months of running perfectly well??????

[Wombato]

Now I've done it! I'm a new member, semi-sophisticated but know just enough to be dangerous. So I had the old windows\system32\config\system missing error. I have a Sony Vaio with a crazy "System Restore" disk that offers to totally reformat your harddrive and nothing else. I brilliantly grabbed the XP disk from another Dell I have to get in to recovery console. Played around a bit and read some forums before deciding to do a "fixmbr" in the recovery console. Seconds after I hit enter, I remembered the this hard disk had a partition on it. I have this bad feeling that I am dead meat now. My question to all you helpful souls:

1) should I try something else to get this PC working?

or

2) I have one of those external shells that I can put the broken PCs hard drive in to. If I do that, will I be able to access any of the files or will my "fixmbr" action keep that from working?

I'm more concerned about getting the data than getting the PC working again.

All help appreciated?

[profdlp]

Try TestDisk (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11940). (See Post #10)

Good luck. :)

[sherazad]

Hi

A search on "Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" guided me to this site. I hope i'll find a solution with u guys. I get that error too when I boot my PC. I tried booting it form the CDROM, to try a new installation and then install Windows on another partition, but I get a Stop error message on a blue screen:
Stop:0xc0000135 (sth like this..with a long text before, I dont really remember what it said :P)

It's like Im really stuck there. I tried installing Linux on another partition, but it wont boot from linux. Im only trying to backup all my data on C and then format the whole thing to start all over again. I found a few things I could try out here on this thread. I'll do it and then get back to u guys with the details.

In the meantime, if anyone could help me out with another solution, I'd be grateful.

Thanks a lot

Cheers

[Shorty]

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

:)

You know what, I've posted it this many times.. Im going to put it in my signature!

[sherazad]

Sorry, I didnt read all the posts. Thanks. I'll try it.

cheers :cool:

[Shorty]

Sorry, I didnt read all the posts. Thanks. I'll try it.

cheers :cool:
It's turning into a long thread ;D Im not surprised :D

That should do the trick mate :cool:

[lailla]

It's turning into a long thread ;D Im not surprised :D

That should do the trick mate :cool:

Ok I know you guys must be sick of all this by now, but yes - I am having the same trouble. I did try the stuff from http://kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm but it didn't work. (couldn't do the dir system part from /windows/system32/config/ cos apparently it couldn't find it)

However, before trying anything else I reinstalled windows xp professional on the computer on seperate partition so I could copy/back-up my files before i had to use my back up discs (which basically removes everything)

Also my laptop is a tablet pc(acer c320) so my partition running windows xp professional is kinda useless as I can't use any of the tablet options (the computer didn't come with windows xp tablet edition disc, but was already installed with it)

So I have no idea what to do now, considering i've tried so many things.

I tried fixboot from recovery console but that didn't work. I was also gonna try fixmbr but its got me worried that I may lose my files. (it says Fixmbr may damage your partition tables if you proceed. This could cause all the parititions on the current hard disk to become inaccessible.)

I also booted from the cd and did what Tex said about doin a fresh install - and then to see if it checks for previous installs - but unfortunatly it didn't do that. So whats that mean? something wrong with boot.ini?

I suppose i could try the back-discs but for some reason i can't copy my files, tried to copy to external drive but it just doesn't detect it, tried writing to dvd error comes up, tried putting the files on the network - also doesn't work.

Its like, I can see my files - but I can't do anything with them!!! Help please.

I would love to call someone to help, for free :) But I'm in london, england - any technicians/helpers here in the UK?

[etienne]

I got a problem and hope that anyone can help me out.
On boot up, PC shows this error.
There is no way for me to access DOS since when I press a key it just reboots.
Thus I put a Windows XP Pro SP2 CD and it boots up from CD. But it also does not boot up as when I press a key for the PC to boot up from CD, very often it just switches off immediately or else it displays
the Windows Setup page (Blue screen) but after a few seconds it shows such an error (one of):
File \i386\NTKRNLMP.EXE could not be loaded
The error code is 768
Setup cannot continue
Press any key to exit

If I press a key it turns out to the same process.
I downloaded the Windows XP SP2 Boot disks and on installation it stopped on Disk 4 with similar errors.
Can you help me?

My setup:
Gigabyte GA8-SIMLH Motherboard
Pentium 4 2GHZ
GeForce FX5200-TD128LF

[Tex]

list more info on your exact hardware.

Then make a boot floppy from a memory tester. Doc mem is free and so if memtest.

Runb the full tests for an hour or so..

Tex

[etienne]

Updated info

2x256MB

[etienne]

How can I run Memtest if I have no control on PC?
You mean I have to fix the memory on another PC, right?

[Tex]

no I want the make/model of computer and whats inside etc...

And no you do not test the memory in another computer. That doesnt really do the job. You may need to go make the memory tester boot floppy disk on another computer... maybe the one you are posting these messages on?

make the test floppy.

Tex

[etienne]

I got a problem and hope that anyone can help me out.
On boot up, PC shows this error.
There is no way for me to access DOS since when I press a key it just reboots.
Thus I put a Windows XP Pro SP2 CD and it boots up from CD. But it also does not boot up as when I press a key for the PC to boot up from CD, very often it just switches off immediately or else it displays
the Windows Setup page (Blue screen) but after a few seconds it shows such an error (one of):
File \i386\NTKRNLMP.EXE could not be loaded
The error code is 768
Setup cannot continue
Press any key to exit

If I press a key it turns out to the same process.
I downloaded the Windows XP SP2 Boot disks and on installation it stopped on Disk 4 with similar errors.
Can you help me?

My setup:
Gigabyte GA8-SIMLH Motherboard
Pentium 4 2GHZ
GeForce FX5200-TD128LF

[etienne]

I have done a Floppy Start Up Disk and have extracted Memtest.exe on it.
When I typed A:\>memtest
it replied
This program cannot be run in DOS mode.

[profdlp]

Memtest runs under linux and makes its own boot disk. Get a blank floppy, extract the memtest files, then double-click install.bat to make the disk. It will tell you what to do from there.

[etienne]

I have used Doc Memory and I run 16 tests. I had no failures.
What can I do next?

[max_xavier]

umm ive been having the corrupt file thing and its happend to two of me hard disks and is realy annoying me now, also i dont know how to repair any of them ive lost all me school work and i was wandering if some1 could take me through set-by-set on how to recover my hard disks becuase i have no idea on what to do.
ive tryed this but cant make it work could someone explian please
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Thanks,
max :)

[Seoul_Man]

I'm having the same problem that started this thread (all that long time ago), but I'm still having a few problems and specifics that I thought I'd include (be warned, this is going to be a pretty long post).

First of all, the specifics on my machine. It's very new, only been together a week now. I put it together myself (teaching English in Seoul does have the perk of giving me access to Yongsan, the largest electronics market in the world).

Antec Sonata II case
Antec TruPower 2.0 450W PSU
AMD 64 Athlon 3000+
Chaintech VNF4 Ultra Motherboard
Asus Extreme N6600GT Video Card
2 512MB Dual Channel DDR400 Samsung RAM chips
Samsung HD080HJ 80GB HD (SATA, 7200 rpm)
Windows XP Professional
BIOS and everything else are standard. No RAID (obviously), no overclocking, no nothing. And no, I don't have a floppy drive.

Second, the specifics of the last couple days. I've been updating my drivers and ran into some problems with the nVidia ones for the graphics card and motherboard. Chaintech gives some nice firewall and other internet protection whatnot, but I ran into some problems with it. I thought that I had all the drivers up to date, but when I installed Half-Life 2 it told me that there were new ones for the graphics card. While at nVidia's site, I first decided to update my drivers for the motherboard. Some of them gave me the warning message that they lacked the Windows logo of compatibility (hopefully you know what I mean--I wasn't exactly taking notes at the time), and I foolishly figured that it was Windows being overly protective and that something made by nVidia surely wouldn't cause any system problems. Sure enough, after restarting the system, I had to re-tell the firewall that AIM should be let through the firewall. As soon as I clicked that, the machine instantly went to a blue error message (can't really remember the details of it, since it was only up for about 1 1/2 seconds before the system restarted). After some more trial and error, I deleted the new driver for the ethernet and put back the old one, which let me access AIM without problems (however, I did not replace all the new drivers with the originals--yes, yes, even when I know how stupid I was earlier I still do stupid things later one; hopefully that'll stop soon).

After that, I got the video card drivers installed without problems and launched HL2. The game looks great and I didn't have any problems until yesterday. I had gotten a fair ways through the game and then suddenly I got that same blue screen error message that I'd gotten earlier. I've also gotten it with a couple other problems this past week as I was building the system, but I can't remember exactly where (each individual problem has been subsequently fixed, or so I thought), so I'm not sure if they're related at all. Anyway, the blue screen restarted my system, at which point everything was fine. I started the game again, and got a little bit further than where I had been earlier before the same blue screen popped up, only this time I got the infamous WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/CONFIG/SYSTEM error message.

I found this thread and tried following it, but can't seem to get a grip on the problem. I've got the Windows setup disc in the drive and hit a key when prompted. I get the black screen telling me "Setup is inspecting your hardware etc." then the all-blue screen with "Windows Setup" at the top. Asks me if I'm running third-party RAID (I'm not) or if i want to run Automated System Recovery (I don't). Then it starts loading files, one after another, until it says something like "Starting Windows" and then loops back to the first startup screen. I'm not sure where exactly I'm supposed to be hitting "r", though it seems like I have done it everywhere, without ever getting anywhere with it. I've looked at a lot of the other suggestions on the board, and am having some difficulties at figuring out where to do stuff (the screens I'm getting don't always seem to jive well with the instructions that others are offering). I've also left the computer idle overnight (a good 8 hours or so) and the problem is still there this morning.

Now for a few special circumstances to further complicate the problem. Temperature in my apartment is pretty good. I ran the BIOS and it told me that the CPU temp was at 39 degrees. The system doesn't really feel all that warm inside, but here in Korea they have heating that comes up through the floor. Again, I don't think the system is really too warm, but I thought I'd mention it all the same.

There's another small issue that I thought I'd mention because some others have talked about the RAM in their machines. Chaintech's motherboard has four RAM slots and supports up to DDR400 memory. However, there was this fun little warning in the motherboard manual: "Due to CPU specifications limiation, two DDR400 memory modules inserted into DIMM1/3, three DDR400 into DIMM1/2/3, or four DDR400 into DIMM1/2/3/4 is not recommended." Now, I haven't done this. I do have two DDR400 chips, but they're in DIMM1 and 2. I'm not sure if this could cause a problem or not. Frankly, I've been really puzzled by this message ever since I first read it. I mention it only because people are mentioning RAM as a possible issue and I'm still confused about the whole thing.

And thus endeth my ridiculously long post, and hopefully someone will help inform me on where I went wrong ("Building your own machine when you know nothing of computer!" is not a helpful suggestion).

[Seoul_Man]

Ok, a day or two have gone by and I've got a little more information that I hope will be helpful in getting some attention here. I've looked around some more and still can't quite find a perfect description of someone else having the same problem that I do. However, two important things I have learned in the last couple days:

Apparently the fact that I'm using an OEM version of Windows XP Pro (all that I could get in Seoul) is somewhat of an issue. I forgot to mention that earlier, but I'm noticing it mentioned in some of Microsoft's documents. Usually the document says something like "If you have OEM, be really careful of the following procedure since it might not work so well," but doesn't give me any links or suggestions to do things differently. Oh well.

Second is the fact that I have had a tiny improvement in actually getting the system repair working. I've found that if I run the process again and keep hitting "R" a bunch of times, the system doesn't loop back to a restart. However, it replaces that earlier problem with a new one: getting "hung up" on the "Setup is starting Windows" message. I've tried this with some limited success (sometimes hitting "R" gets me to the hung up screen, sometimes it doesn't). I found myself considering varying the frequency and times of hitting "R" during Setup before I realized that I am now believing in actual gremlins living in my machine, messing things up.

Anyway, I'm still at a loss here as to what I can do--none of the other messages here really line up 100% with the problem I'm having (at least not that I can see). If anyone is reading this and thinks that they do, I'd aprpeciate it if you could take the time to say "Hey, idiot, so-and-so ten messages back had the same issue that you have" just so I see what I've missed.

Much thanks in advance.

[TomMiller]

Hi,

Hoping you can help me. I have the same system error as shown in this thread. I have booted from the Office disk but as you have stated if it doesn't fiond a prior version of Windows installed then it is having problems reading from boot.ini Can you help me repair this?

Hope you don't mind helping me.

Thanks.

Sure. boot from the XP cd. Can you do that? Or do you need more simple instructions that tell ya how to do that too? I'm not jacking with ya, just need to know how low to target the level of instructions. There is no need for me to go through and write down here a bunch of extra steps you may know how to do now.

If you can boot from the XP cd let me know and I'll start there or I"ll walk you through getting that far if you can't get at least booted from the CD.

If you can boot and the file system isnt corrupt you just let it keep booting. It makes you hit enter or something saying you want to install, then it asks if you want to repair using recovery console and for now say "n" a few minutes later it looks for your old installs and if the disk file system is OK it should show you the disk and directory on whcih XP is installed and ask if you want to repair the existing installation and at that point I think it makes you even hit "R" for repair.

If it ever asks you to format or create a partition DON'T DO IT ! It shouldn't ask you on a repair install. So if you see that in any way we have deeper problems. BAIL OUT. Do not proceed.

As long as you do a repair install it keeps all your files and programs etc... but its got to be a repair not a fresh install. And its the second prompt about repairing NOT the first one asking if you want to use recovery console. Its only a total of like three mouse clicks and hitting "R" to get the repair going!

You can even call me on the phone and I'll walk you through it while your on the phone if your worried or in a hurry. This sounds scary but its not. Will take 5 to 10 minutes to get ya going on the phone depending on if we have other problems etc.. Get the XP cd and let me know when your ready to start if you want phone assistance. Look at it this way. I do this professionaly and your getting $100 an hour free tech support for the price of a phone call. And yes thats a great reason to pass www.short-media.com along to your friends at school or college. Very few if any web sites will actually have profesionals willing to give out their phone number and offer free tech support to other members like this. And its one reason short-media is so very cool.

Tex

[uglijimus]

god , i hope i:m not hijacking this thread. like everyone else, i have the same problem with the missing file. currently i:m living in japan and i:m sure i could borrow a windows home XP set-up CD from somebody, (my toshiba laptop didn:t come with one) but it would be the japanese version. do you think it would still work? i:m afraid of losing any files. thanks

jim

[computerwizard]

Hi everyone

I had this problem before . but there away all of you folk can get that files back . i got mine back.

if anyone is interstead in get the file back with window.sys.32 files back pls poste you question on the board i will answer time and if you want easy follow up step by step . pls private message me

[FriendlyGuy]

Your "system" is your registry hive. It has become corrupt, probably from an improper shutdown. I have linked this several times in other threads and the success has always been good :)

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Any problems, please post and do let us know how you get on :)


I performed the actions you listed and my system now displays the WindowsXP screen on boot, but then it continues on into a black screen and continually restarts. Any suggestions?

[FriendlyGuy]

I performed the actions you listed and my system now displays the WindowsXP screen on boot, but then it continues on into a black screen and continually restarts. Any suggestions?

[Raven07]

Hi all

couldn't help but stumble into the same problem as all of you. I had a custom job built about 8 months ago; only i've had problems with it since day one.

To add to my luck i have now encountered "windows\system32\config\system missing" my computer if left alone once booted will show this prompt then restart.

As i press enter after booting the windows xp pro cd it goes to the partition screen and i do not have the option to repair, only reformat.

i've also tried the restore console: using chkdsk /p and /r and also bootcfg /rebuild (yet don't seem to succesful on this one; asks to restart computer to get an updated scan and to add to boot once restarted nothing seems to derive from it)

after using the restore console features i've tried once again and pressed enter and yet i still do not have the option to repair.


My computer has:
1 GRAM
3.2 GHz
120G HDS
256M graphics card ATI Radeon x600 pro
gigabyte motherboard

(had problems with card and motherboard overclocking CPU)
basically computer resets when it becomes to great a burden to handle
only this time it won't boot up.

would appreciate the help
regards Rob

[Seoul_Man]

OK, so here's what's happened recently.

I talked to my cousin (my family's computer guy) about this and he recommended that I get a cheap video card and plug that in, since it sounded like the rebooting problem was something to do with the hardware. I went out and bought a card, but somehow I misread the thing and got a kind that wouldn't work with my motherboard.

Anyway, for some reason, as I was reinstalling my original video card, I thought to remove the second RAM stick from the machine. I did so and restarted the computer--everything is fine. I put the RAM stick back into place and the old problem comes back (even after reinstalling the original, apparently stable drivers that I had before the original problem).

Now, to reiterate something I mentioned in an earlier post: I have a Chaintech VNF4 Ultra mobo, in whose manual it states that I should not use two DDR400 sticks in DIMM 1/3. Now, I take this to mean DIMM slots 1 and 3 together, so I put the sticks in slots 1 and 2. Perhaps I misunderstood what the book said, perhaps I got a bum stick of RAM (scroll up to see my system stats), I don't know.

The point is this: I managed to circumvent the problem, but only by chopping my machine's RAM in half. I haven't been able to get through on Chaintech's website, but I'm thinking maybe someone could give a little assistance on this subject and help me figure out just what in the world is going on with this machine. There aren't any marks of damage on either the DIMM slot or the RAM itself, but I'm still not taking any chances by putting it back in in a different slot. If you're having this problem with the rebooting, maybe you should try removing a stick of RAM.

[profdlp]

What happens if you switch the two sticks of memory? If the system chokes it almost certainly means one stick is bad. If not, you may want to check your BIOS settings, see if a newer BIOS is available, or try different slot combinations.

Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58) would go a long way towards answering these questions. ;)

[Stretchicles]

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

:)

You know what, I've posted it this many times.. Im going to put it in my signature!


Hi, I'm having the same problem as others in this thread, however when i try to repair the system file it says that the file can't be found :( . Any suggestions on how else to fix this?

Thanks

[profdlp]

Hi, I'm having the same problem as others in this thread, however when i try to repair the system file it says that the file can't be found :( . Any suggestions on how else to fix this?

Thanks
(Kelly's Korner) If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is missing), skip to step 3
Unfortunately, the steps don't appear to be labeled. Is there any other info in the error message you're getting? :)

[Stretchicles]

The original problem is that i get the message

"windows could not start because the following file is mising or corrupt:
\windows\sytem32\config\system"

I used the recovery cd i have to get into the Recovery console. I then hit 'r' and attempt to fix the problem by typing "cd c:\windows\system32\config" then "copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system"
After i hit enter it comes up with the message that the file cannot be found.

I'm trying to fix this so i dont have to lose all the information on my computer. And i have tried to do a repair installation but it doesnt recongnise the existing windows that is on there so i'm only left with the option to install or exit.

[profdlp]

See if this procedure (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545) works.

If not, try this:

From the recovery options screen, hit C to use the recovery console.

Go to winnt/system32/config and rename system to something else [ ren system sysold ].

Then make a new dir named system [ mkdir system ].

[bdray99]

I have same issue as others in a 3 month old Emachine...Have tried to use their" PC Angel Recovery" but it has not worked. There is an option in the Recovery that offers to back up all your data files in a folder and repair the system. I have not tried this for fear all my photos, music, and personal files will be wiped out.
Anyone that can help ???

Thanks !

[profdlp]

...I have not tried this for fear all my photos, music, and personal files will be wiped out...
It used to be that almost any "Restore" program from a computer manufacturer would wipe your drive clean. Since this is not what most people have in mind when they think of "restoration", companies started writing their program so that it would theoretically leave your data intact. This may be quite true, but there is no way in the world I would trust it unless I had used the program many times with no problems.

Scratch that - I'd never completely trust it... ;)

Have you tried the other suggestions in this thread? :)

[bdray99]

Thanks for the "heads up" prof...i was more than a little concerned about trying their "restoration" I do not have a copy of XP available right now. I assume that would be the first fix that I should try since it would save my files ? i am not that computer literate to attempt much of what was suggested.

Thanks !


Have you tried the other suggestions in this thread? :)[/QUOTE]

[profdlp]

The "PC Angel Recovery" might work, but I'd be willing to bet that unless all of your data was in the default location (almost certainly My Documents, or one of its subfolders) it would not back it up.

If you can borrow an XP CD to use for the recovery console techniques, that would be a lot safer. Another alternative would be to try plugging your hard drive into another computer, then copying your data to its existing hard drive. If you have questions about that, ask first. :)

If you try the second option you might then give the eMachines recovery program a shot as an experiment to see if it actually does what it advertises. That could be handy information for future reference.

Finally, you should be doing regular backups to a device not connected to your computer, such as a DVD or CD-R, making sure to verify that the disc is properly burned and can be read from another machine. If you knew that all of your data was safely archived on disc you could run the restore program with full confidence that you'd still have it afterwards - no matter what.

[gochi]

Hello, I have this same problem with my lap top. I'm living for the moment in Germany, so i had to ask my sister to send me my recovery cd, by the way the lap top is a Toshiba. When I insert the cd and boot from it, it tells me that it will format evrything, etc. So I haven't dared to press ok to this screen. What can I do? Is it possible to just "burn" the windows content of the recovery cd into another cd and try to boot from there??? I need urgent help please!!!

[Tex]

Hello, I have this same problem with my lap top. I'm living for the moment in Germany, so i had to ask my sister to send me my recovery cd, by the way the lap top is a Toshiba. When I insert the cd and boot from it, it tells me that it will format evrything, etc. So I haven't dared to press ok to this screen. What can I do? Is it possible to just "burn" the windows content of the recovery cd into another cd and try to boot from there??? I need urgent help please!!!

If it actually says its gonna format then .... yes I bet it does just that.

If your data is important I would try and find the cheapest copy of the SAME version of XP (home or pro) online in a oem format and just bite the bullet. It will always have its uses down the road for ya anyway.

probably can be had for around $80 or so I bet.

Tex

[gochi]

So, my version is home edition and it is from 2002, Must i find the same version and year etc??? Could I do it with a German version??

[Tex]

Just get a "home" version. Any language works fine. The newer the better.

Tex

[gochi]

Ok, I'll try with a German version, and I'll let you know, thank you very very much!!!

[Matt_G]

Seems I am having a similar issue with a few complications:

PC 1 - Dell

PC 2 - built at home

PC 2 was working fine for several months. I got a new video card, fan controller and case for XMas. A few days ago, I pulled apart the PC and reinstalled all components (including the dual video card setup and fan controller) into the new case. Booted up and the PC shut down. Post message on the motherboard indicated some problem with the CPU fan (it was working but apparently did not like being hooked up to the fan contr.). I switched the fan back to the motherboard and booted again. This time, I was able to get to the admin login where the PC froze. Subsequent reboots generated the Corrupt Windows/system32/config/system message. I tried using the recovery console, but unfortunately did not do my homework first and only got to the command prompt... did not know where to go from there. After serveral agonizing hours, I decided to try a full reformat and reinstall.... The drive reformatted, but now I cannot install - getting a message saying that windows cannot install on the partition due to disk errors.

Now for the dumb part.... I took the drive from my Dell and put it into the second PC. Booted..everything seemed to work fine. I shut it all down and put the drive back into my Dell... and now I get the same corrupt file message. The kicker is that I can't run the recovery console as it tells me no hard drive is recognized. I checked the connections several times, so all looks good there. Any ideas? I hate to think I did something stupid and broke 2 pcs on the same night!!


PC2 specs are as follows:
ABIT Fatality SLI mobo
Antec TruPower 550W PSU
Maxtor Diamond HDD
cd/dvd burner
2 eVGA nVidia 7800 GT
2Gig OCZ Plat RAM (PC3200)
Thermaltake Hardcano13 Fan controller

[sprints54]

Windows xp pro sp2 freezes when try to load. Tried booting in safe mode but get this message: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:\windows\system32\config\system

I don't have the xp disk so I'm kind of screwed. is there any way to fix it. I have a windows xp home disk but no product key. Will reformat if i have to but would prefer if i didn't.

comp specs
xp pro sp2
512 ram
250 gig sata hd
nvidia 6600gt 128 ddr3

[Shorty]

Windows xp pro sp2 freezes when try to load. Tried booting in safe mode but get this message: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:\windows\system32\config\system

I don't have the xp disk so I'm kind of screwed. is there any way to fix it. I have a windows xp home disk but no product key. Will reformat if i have to but would prefer if i didn't.

comp specs
xp pro sp2
512 ram
250 gig sata hd
nvidia 6600gt 128 ddr3
Do you have a floppy drive...? :)

If so.. grab these 4 floppy disk images of a Windows XP Setup Boot Disk...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=15491F07-99F7-4A2D-983D-81C2137FF464&displaylang=en

Then follow my previously posted quick and simple fix

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

:)

[Tex]

dam shorty. Your the man!

[sprints54]

Do you have a floppy drive...? :)

If so.. grab these 4 floppy disk images of a Windows XP Setup Boot Disk...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=15491F07-99F7-4A2D-983D-81C2137FF464&displaylang=en

Then follow my previously posted quick and simple fix

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

:)
I don't have a floppy drive... So i'm kind of screwed

[profdlp]

I don't have a floppy drive... So i'm kind of screwed
Ten bucks for a cheap drive might un-screw you. :D

[sprints54]

Ten bucks for a cheap drive might un-screw you. :D


Don't want a flopy drive and i fixed it last night. Forgot that I had Ghosted it last week so it's all fixed.

[sammy]

Do you have a floppy drive...? :)

If so.. grab these 4 floppy disk images of a Windows XP Setup Boot Disk...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=15491F07-99F7-4A2D-983D-81C2137FF464&displaylang=en

Then follow my previously posted quick and simple fix

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

:)

Alright i have the same exact problem as the guy you gave this advice to.

My Brother did an unsafe shutdown of our PC which has XP Home edition.The result was the error message:

\windows\system32\config\system

The problem is my Windows Setp Disk is on my hard drive.(I know dumb of me not to burn a copy) So i followed the above advice and downloaded the setup images from microsoft. It needed 6 floppy disks.

So i follow the steps from the "blue screen" windows setup screen. when it gets to the 5th Floppy disk it stops installing and says:

The file disk.sys is corrupted.

Press any key to continue.

It then says:

Setup failed. Press any key to restart you computer.

Then my pc restarts and stops again at square one.

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

etc...."

So is there a way to save my data/pictures/files/video or is the problem so deep that i have to put in the emergency recoveryCD-ROM and lose everything.

Thanks for any help given.

[profdlp]

Try replacing the file on your floppy with the copy I attached. Make sure you unzip it first. :)

[sammy]

Man! the file doesn't fit with the rest of the files already on the floppy. I deleted the first disk.sy_ and tried toreplace it with the one you gave me but they are not the same size. After deleting the first file the floppy is 1.35mb and it can only hold 1.44mb. the file above, unzipped is 35.5kb.
the drive says it only has 32.5kb of free space left on the floppy disk

What now?

[profdlp]

I'd try making the set of XP floppies again from a fresh download. You might want to replace the diskette that had the problem.

[Rensu]

Yo there...Ugh, this stupid thing sucks so much.

I too like many others have this problem- 'Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM. I've tried practically everything I could think of: I tried to do a reinstall using the bootdisks and CD, and it gave me a Blue screen of death error similar to sherazad on page 2 and won't let me install or repair or anything. Then I tried the recovery console- it didn't ask for a password or anything when I went to it- just went straight to the command prompt thing... and then it keeps giving me 'Access is Denied.' errors every time I try to create a folder or copy or paste or anything in those instructions that Shorty mentioned. *sighs* This is driving me insane...Is my computer done for? x_x;


Thanks a trillion in advance...*threatens his computer with weapons of mass destruction*

[profdlp]

Rensu, the fact that your getting the BSOD while running from a boot disk leads me to suggest that you run a couple passes of Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58). :)

[Tex]

Rensu, the fact that your getting the BSOD while running from a boot disk leads me to suggest that you run a couple passes of Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58). :)

Ding ! number one answer on the board! Step to the front and collect your prize.

J/K

LYM

Tex

[profdlp]

I'm only following the example set by The Great Master (http://www.short-media.com/forum/member.php?u=7). :vimp:

[sammy]

I'd try making the set of XP floppies again from a fresh download. You might want to replace the diskette that had the problem.

Thank you!
:respect: :celebrate :
I Just wanted to say it because I've noticed so many people ask for help and never come back to show their appreciation.

It was a bad floppy. I do have some questions though. First i followed your steps on that hive repair site. It ended up asking me for the admin Password. But the passwords i put in didn't work. (In the 3 years i've had this pc i used 2 different admins) None of thenm worked and after a 3rd try it told me to hit enter to restart the computer. so i removed the floppy and hit enter.

The end result was just a fresh reboot without any loss of data or settings. A pleasant surprise to say the least. My Question is:

Any idea on what these results tell you about my (former) computer problem?

[profdlp]

Glad you got it, sammy! :D

Regarding the password, it may have been blank, as in don't type in anything.

As for it mysteriously working again after an incomplete attempt at running Setup, it could be this: During the early stages of Setup, Windows does a couple of preliminary tasks like examining your Hard Drive, copying a few basic boot files, and generally preparing the system for the installation. It's the digital equivalent of spackling holes in the wall before applying a fresh coat of paint.

My guess would be that your whole problem was due to having one or more of those basic files become corrupted during the unsafe shutdown you mentioned previously. When you started the Setup process they were replaced, getting you right back in business. :)

[FamManHill]

Hello,

Well, needless to say I am a victim too (man, I feel like this is a support group). Before I get into where I stand, here are my specs: (home built rig 2.5 - 3 years old)

AMD 1900+ on Soyo Dragon plus board.
Originally (prior to problem) 2 sticks generic pc2100 512 MB (slots 1 and 2)
ATI All in Wonder 9700
Soundblaster Audigy 2
3 HD, 2 40G WD, 1 160G WD
Sony dual layer DVD/CD burner (dru 810a).(currently running as secondary slave)
XP PRO

All was going well until I tried to add another stick of 512 MB into slot 3. Began to get reboots (I imagine the heat was just pushed too far). I pulled out the new stick after getting the above error, with of course no change. I then went so far as to put in just one stick (alternating which one I used) in all 3 slots.

I tried to change the bios to read the cd first without success (still showed the error page and any keystroke rebooted the computer.)

Changed all boot devices to the cd at which time I received an error that my cd was not a system disk and that I should change it and hit enter.

So...
I have read the entire string...can I use the download from MS on the floppies INSTEAD of the cd? (I have to get floppies....have not used them in forever). Is there a reason it is not seeing my PRO disc as a system disc? If I borrow someone else's, will I possibly get better results with the cd? If I am not able to get this repaired, is it possible that I can hook up the hard drive as a slave on another computer and at least get the data? (I don't think the drive is dead according to what I am reading here). Are there any questions I am missing? Can you give me the answers to the missing questions? :vimp:

Any help that can be offered would be much appreciated. I don't mind getting a new drive if that is what it is going to take, but I would like to be able to get the data back...there are pictures on there that have been added since the last backup (about 2 weeks ago) and I really want to get them as they cannot be replaced.

Thank you very much for your time.

Fammy

[Srock]

I have a system that is doing this same crap to me , windows/system32/config/systemmissing . I have heard that using a winpe disk to rewrite the registry is the best and easiest way . Does anyone know for sure ?

[Tex]

I have a system that is doing this same crap to me , windows/system32/config/systemmissing . I have heard that using a winpe disk to rewrite the registry is the best and easiest way . Does anyone know for sure ?

scan up about 5 posts from here. Shorty posted links for a fix and boot floppys. I think it was quoted in a link above by sammy.

Tex

[whoso]

Ok, this may sound silly, but how can I type ":" after the volume label in recovery console.
Tried every possible keyboard combination, but couldn't find the colon.

Another question: can i use XP Home edition recovery CD to use recovery console for repairing XP Professional ?

[mike diaz]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

[mike diaz]

I have the same problem. it does not see the old install.Can you help me fix the boot.ini?

[Tex]

If it's not seeing the boot.ini then the file system is probably corrupt. Boot into recovery console and do a full chkdsk (where it scans and fixes all errors) from the command line. Google for the commands in recovery console that are available.

Tex

[mike diaz]

I have the same problem. it does not see the old install.Can you help me fix the boot.ini?

Thank you i'll try it...

[JPD252]

Hi, I have experienced the same problem and It lasts since I bought the computer. I'm now even wondering whether there is something wrong with my computer hardware instead of the windows xp software! I saw someone's comments on this problem b4 in a website and it says it is because of the poor quality RAM!! is that true? I'm very annoyed with this problem and my pc never runs ok. Thanks for any help.


First of all I'm glad that I found this site. I had that dreaded missing or corrupt file message. Did what was posted and it's fixed. An observation I would like to pass was that I had no problems running XP on this problem computer until I took apart an old Compaq 5190, removed the RAM and installed it into this one. I used the upgraded RAM a short while and then removed it. That's when I started to get the alert. The RAM was marked Hyndai. Maybe HYUNDAI should maybe keep working on their cars instead of PC parts. I hope this little bit of info might help someone pinpoint their problems. Oh yeah, sorry to revive an old thread.

[profdlp]

Glad to hear that you're back in business, JPD252. :)

...Maybe HYUNDAI should maybe keep working on their cars instead of PC parts...
;D ;D ;D

[GaryP]

For some weird reason I too have the "windows\system32\config\system is either missing or corrupt".

Ive followed the trend of placing my windows XP home edition into the drive and allowing it to boot up. I then enter the recovery console, trying all the commands such as CD \ and md tmp (as highlighted in many of the webpages provided) to no avail. It replies by saying there is no floppy disc or CD in the drive! which i do not understand.

I then went back and looked at whether i could do a fresh install of windows XP, however it doesnt even discover a partition and if i do anything from there i get the BSOD.

I have been left completely bewildered and i beg for your kind help.

thank you

Gary P.

P.S. here is information on the laptop
(as taken by the website i got it from)

THE AJP D900T-M

17” TFT WUXGA (1920x1200) Glossy with Wide Viewing Angle
• Intel Pentium 4 Processor 650 - Processor speed 3.4GHz (up to 3.8GHz) with 800MHz FSB, Hyper-Threading & 2MB Cache
• Intel 915P Chipset (PCI Express)
• 1GB DDR2 RAM 533MHz (up to 2.8GB)
• 80GB HDD 7200RPM S-ATA (Additional bay for 2nd HDD option with RAID 0 & RAID 1 support, upgradeable to 200GB)
• 8 x DVD-RW/CD-RW Dual Format (+/-) & Dual Layer (+)
• Additional bay for optional 2nd Optical Drive (fast copy facility)
• Built in 7-in-1 Card Reader
• PCI Express NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800
• 256MB DDR3 Video RAM & DirectX 9 support
• Optional Nvidia Quadro FX Go 1400 (CAD – CAM users) or Nvidia GeForce Go 7800 (for ultimate gaming)
• Intel Azalia High Definition Sound with Virtual 8 Channel output
• Built in Audio DJ CD Player & MP3 Player
• 4x Built in Speakers & Sub Woofer Module
• Built in Wireless LAN 802.11b/g card
• Built in Bluetooth
• (Optional) Built in TV Tuner and Remote Control
• Built in 56K fax/modem
• Built in 10/100/1000-Giga LAN Ethernet Adapter
• Ports: 4xUSB 2.0, 2x IEEE Firewire, IrDA, TV/HDTV-Out, Video In (with TV Tuner only), Parallel, Serial, DVI-out, PS/2, S/P Dif output
• Built in Video Camera
• Full size keyboard & separate numeric keypad
• Smart Li-Ion Battery **
• Dimensions: 397mm (w) x 298mm (d) x 49.5mm (h)
• Weight: 5.2Kg
• 36 months RTB Warranty (Initial 12 Months; Parts and Labour, following 24 Months; Labour only)
• Windows XP Home with CD & Manual

[GaryP]

P.P.S I have noticed that when im in the recovery console my command differs from the ones shown on the screenshots found here ---> http://www.toughadmin.com/article.php?article=System

Instead of C:\WINDOWS I only get C:\>

This probably just highlights how windows has completely failed on my system.

[prattvegas]

I'm having this problem as the original poster did...
windows cannot start cuz of missing or corrupt :
windows\system32\config\system

i did a chkdsk /p under C:\WINDOWS>
it says:
CHKDSK found one or more errors on the volume.

what do i need or can do next?

i am using a copy of XP pro with a
Gigabyte K7 Triton nForce 2 Chipset
1gig of RAM
Radeon 9600 Pro

[prattvegas]

P.P.S I have noticed that when im in the recovery console my command differs from the ones shown on the screenshots found here ---> http://www.toughadmin.com/article.php?article=System

Instead of C:\WINDOWS I only get C:\>

This probably just highlights how windows has completely failed on my system.


I went to the link and did as it said and now my system seems to be ok, but I am gonna get my DVD burner working and back everything up and just format my machine, thank you everyone for your help and everyone who's posted here.

thank you.:cheers:

[caranvalo]

Hi you'all!

I have the same problem: windows could not start because of the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system.

It happened after a failed system restore to a previous date.

I tried to fix it using the Repair Console:

First, I din't find the file "system" or "system.bak" nowhere in my computer so, I con not copy the file to \\system32\config.

When I tried to do an install\repair, it takes do the following steps:

1 At the welcome screen I skip the Repair using the Recovery Console and press enter to continue the installation.

2 pree F8 to the licence agreement.

3 IN the next screens, I get the following options:

To set up windows xp on the selected item, press ENTER

To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press "C"

To delete the selected partition, press "D"

4 I choose the partition where the system is and press enter. I press enter and get the following screen:

You choose to install windows XP... improperly.

Caution: Installing multiple operating systems...

to continuo setup using this partition, press "C"

To select a different partition, press "ESC".

5 The next screen, says:
Setup will install Windows XP on partition
C: Partitionxxx
Use the UP and DOWN ARROW....

Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)
Format the partition using the NTFS file system
Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

This is as far as I have goten because I afraid to loose my data if I contiue.

My computer has windows XP SP2, the original cd has Windows XP sp1

I would really appreciate some advice.

Well!!! I decided to go on and reinstal the system under the option: Leave the current file system intact (no changes).

I will have to reinstall all the programs but my data is safe.

Thanks a lot!!!

[xfenrirx]

i really need help on this as soon as possible.. i also think i totaly screwed myself, 2 days ago i got the evil windows\system32\config\system missing or corrupt error.. dont know why or how this happend.. i just restarted my comp when my cd drive was being a pain (it stopped working and the cd was stuck inside) after restarting the comp i was able to get the cd out but the error struck.. and for once i thought id fix this myself without the aid of my older brother who always (almost unwillingly) fixes my comp.. so i formated the HD.. now after the first step of the windows XP installation it says the computer will reboot in 15 seconds or press enter to reboot, after the computer reboots itself i get the windows\system32\config\system error how do i fix this if i cant install windows? i only hav access to phoenix award CMOS setup utility on the startup and the recovery console (which i think has no use becuase i formated).
also it somtimes gets stuck on DMI pool data randomly
im starting to think its hardware related.. either my HD CDrom or my ram (which is 256 - 512 mixed no idea which types further than that) im having a hard time getting on the net as it is so if sombody could reply to this soon it would be a massive help.

80gb HD
256 geforce6800LE
768 mb ram
2.5ghz intel celeron (hate the thing)
ask for anything more specific and ill try my best to find it out

thanks in advance

[caranvalo]

Well xfenrirx I don’t have any idea of why this happen. To me, it happened after a failed SYSTEM RESTORE fortunately, I was able to get all my data back.

Since you don’t have any data to worry about, let’s start from scratch.

Download del-pat from
http://www.fryssupport.net/downloads/gq/gq3131/del-pat.zip

This utility, erase everything from your computer, including partitions.
After you run this utility, you got nothing but a completely blank HD.

Since you don’t have an OS on your computer, you will need a boot disk (floppy or cd)

I’m supposing you have access to another computer and also access to the Internet.

Download Windows 98 SE from bootdisk.com to your desktop

Insert blank floppy in A: Drive

Double click boot98se.exe and click Run

Click Ok to “Insert floppy to write

Click Yes to Disk is not empty, all data on your disk will be lost, Do you want to continue? Dialog box.

The program start copying files to the A: Drive.

Let it run.

Insert the floppy on the troublesome PC, and turn it ON.

On the first screen choose 1. Start computer with CD-ROM support and let it run. (we are not installing yet, so any option will do it)

Since you may have your hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system, don’t pay attention to the warnings about the hard drive or viruses.

Insert the floppy containing del-pat
At the command prompt type del-pat and press ENTER,
The cursor will blink for a minute or so.

Know, you can start a fresh install.

Caranvalo

[xfenrirx]

no A: drive on this comp lol, im trying to find ppl nearby that could possibly do this for me. really hope this does the trick, if not then it must be hardware related right?

ill let you know how it all turns out.

thanks, Fen

[Tex]

Well xfenrirx I don’t have any idea of why this happen. To me, it happened after a failed SYSTEM RESTORE fortunately, I was able to get all my data back.

Since you don’t have any data to worry about, let’s start from scratch.

Download del-pat from
http://www.fryssupport.net/downloads/gq/gq3131/del-pat.zip

This utility, erase everything from your computer, including partitions.
After you run this utility, you got nothing but a completely blank HD.

Since you don’t have an OS on your computer, you will need a boot disk (floppy or cd)

I’m supposing you have access to another computer and also access to the Internet.

Download Windows 98 SE from bootdisk.com to your desktop

Insert blank floppy in A: Drive

Double click boot98se.exe and click Run

Click Ok to “Insert floppy to write

Click Yes to Disk is not empty, all data on your disk will be lost, Do you want to continue? Dialog box.

The program start copying files to the A: Drive.

Let it run.

Insert the floppy on the troublesome PC, and turn it ON.

On the first screen choose 1. Start computer with CD-ROM support and let it run. (we are not installing yet, so any option will do it)

Since you may have your hard drive formatted with the NTFS file system, don’t pay attention to the warnings about the hard drive or viruses.

Insert the floppy containing del-pat
At the command prompt type del-pat and press ENTER,
The cursor will blink for a minute or so.

Know, you can start a fresh install.

Caranvalo

Why would you tell someone to format their drive? Even if he needed to do a fresh install you do not need to format the drive to get around this problem. Uhhhhh gee he could do a fresh install to a differant directory. This isnt win98.

AND EVEN IF HE DID NEED TO FORMAT .... HE WOULD DO IT OFF THE XP CD FOR GAWDS SAKE! Welcome to the new world of XP. Please learn how to do stuff the modern way!

Tex

[xfenrirx]

now im just confused.. i really hate pc's for this sorta thing -.-; im stupid formating my drive before even looking into this but im not sure if its because somthing is still on there causing this error.. ive already formated a few times through the windows XP cd and the error still persists i dont think anything is wrong with the cd ive used it many times before and it would be just weird that the error i got in the first place is the same thing wrong with the cd =/ so pretty sure theres nothing wrong with the cd, or does the format still leave main system files intact? :S im causing so much trouble for everybody :( if u got any ideas about whats wrong tex please give some advice too i would appreciate it.

thanks again, Fen (the clueless noobie)

[Tex]

dude its not your drive. Never was. No you did not need to format. And if you formated SEVERAL times trust me here..... there is nothing still on that drive that is causing you problems. You killed ever tiny bit of data on that drive.

And I did not mean YOU were clueless!

Start with a memory tester like memtest or docmemory etc...

[xfenrirx]

no idea how im gonna use that memtest on my comp, but i just tested each stick of ram and even replaced them both with another stick (the unused stick is a bit funny, it resets the comp) and the moniter wouldnt even work lol tried onboard graphics + my graphics card slots nothing :S switched it back to my normal ram and the moniter was fine again so i cant really tell if my other ram is dodgy or if my current ram is fine =.= i could hav to buy a new stick of ram all together and it still wouldnt work lol then id replace my HD and then it doesnt work then its all omgwtfbbq *destroy + stress*

~Fen

[profdlp]

no idea how im gonna use that memtest on my comp...
You can download either a floppy or cdrom version of Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58). The floppy version will guide you through making a bootable disk. The CD version is an iso file which should be burned as an image file to make bootable CD. Boot from whichever disk you make and the rest is automatic. :)

[xfenrirx]

well for some reason i just managed to setup windows xp... and then the comp restarted and the error once again has shown its ugly face, maybe i can use the recovery console cmds or doesnt this change anything? x_x my hopes just got totaly crushed.. i thought it was ok:(

[profdlp]

What Tex suggested about testing your memory is a must at this point. You've got all the symptoms of a RAM problem. :cool:

[xfenrirx]

well for now i think its fixed.. but i do agree with you there could be a ram problem, my comp is back onto windows XP desktop.. after managing (somehow) to install windows XP the recovery console cmds worked

chkdsk /p
fixboot
then exit

and it was fine well fine for now atleast, soon as i get my net connection up and running ill get this ram test.

thanks everyone for your support, Fen

[profdlp]

You might want to run the diagnostic test from the hard drive manufacturer, too.

Good luck. :wave:

[M!DN!GHT]

In my Case i think im SCREWED. I have this same Problem. I have XP Media Edition i dont have the CD. I have a dell 9100 pentium d 2.8ghz. I tried putting in a XP home cd and it freezes at the installation question. This is the only comp i have. In my case i think i just need a new HD to install so i can access the files off my other one. IF NOT PLEASE HELP ME!

[jameslav]

Sure. boot from the XP cd. Can you do that? Or do you need more simple instructions that tell ya how to do that too? I'm not jacking with ya, just need to know how low to target the level of instructions. There is no need for me to go through and write down here a bunch of extra steps you may know how to do now.

If you can boot from the XP cd let me know and I'll start there or I"ll walk you through getting that far if you can't get at least booted from the CD.

If you can boot and the file system isnt corrupt you just let it keep booting. It makes you hit enter or something saying you want to install, then it asks if you want to repair using recovery console and for now say "n" a few minutes later it looks for your old installs and if the disk file system is OK it should show you the disk and directory on whcih XP is installed and ask if you want to repair the existing installation and at that point I think it makes you even hit "R" for repair.

If it ever asks you to format or create a partition DON'T DO IT ! It shouldn't ask you on a repair install. So if you see that in any way we have deeper problems. BAIL OUT. Do not proceed.

As long as you do a repair install it keeps all your files and programs etc... but its got to be a repair not a fresh install. And its the second prompt about repairing NOT the first one asking if you want to use recovery console. Its only a total of like three mouse clicks and hitting "R" to get the repair going!

You can even call me on the phone and I'll walk you through it while your on the phone if your worried or in a hurry. This sounds scary but its not. Will take 5 to 10 minutes to get ya going on the phone depending on if we have other problems etc.. Get the XP cd and let me know when your ready to start if you want phone assistance. Look at it this way. I do this professionaly and your getting $100 an hour free tech support for the price of a phone call. And yes thats a great reason to pass www.short-media.com along to your friends at school or college. Very few if any web sites will actually have profesionals willing to give out their phone number and offer free tech support to other members like this. And its one reason short-media is so very cool.

Tex





Tex, I have an IBM T23 laptop, replaced the hard drive, loaded on XP Pro, running fine. Updated it to SP2. Added PC-Cillin, etc etc. It was running fine, and for the first week, i guess, i never shut it down, i would just logoff and close the screen, and then reopen it and all was well. however, i just got back from vacation and thought, i should really just shut it down. When I went to start it, i got the dreaded "windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" etc etc and when I get to the point where I can hit "r" to repair, it takes me to the C:\WINDOWS\ prompt....and I am CLUELESS.

i'm above novice, but wouldn't mind being told how to fix this as if you were telling your grandma (unless she is Grandma Tex....)

- PS - i ran " C:\WINDOWS>chkdsk c: /r " and this is what i've ended up with:

Volume created 03/07/06 10:31p
The volume Serial Number is 60ec-799f
CHKDSK is checking the volume...
CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...
CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...
CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...
51% completed.


And thats it. won't go past it.

I need to be able to use my computer at home to do work...but i don't want to take it somewhere and have them charge me out the wazoo...i just replaced the HD, and loaded XP Pro and it shouldn't require me to reload XP every time i want to use the computer....sheesh.

Thanks

James

[killa4skrilla]

First of all I'd like to start off by saying thanks to all the people on thes msg board who kindly help out poeple in need.:clap: I applaud you.

I also am having the same problem as the OP. I followed
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
When I get to the step below it says that the file could not be found.

Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

When I look into the c:\windows\repair\system directory I get that no matching files are found

I can DIR c:\windows\repair\ and i can see that there is a system.bak file in there dut no Directory.


Thanks in advance for reading this.


J.C.



** I have just ran chkdsk /r on C:\ and it completed with no errors**

[coolio_4000]

i guss this is because i used AD-AWARE or SPYBOT and it deleted an important part of the registry. . . instead of the virus

please help!!!


missing or corrupt file: windows\system32\config\system

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

it seems i tried to delete a virus from regedit on my own and deleted an important file on accident, causing my windows to no longer load. . .


causing this message to come up wen i turn on the computer:

missing or corrupt file: windows\system32\config\system

and wont let me get on windows. . .

im not using a diff hard drive and i have the other one as a slave.


i wanted to know how i can fix this problem and be able to use my windows again

also, another issue is that i dont have the original XP cd or any other Xp cd . . . so i was wondering if there is a way to fix this issue without it???


i appreciate any help!!!

thanks!!

[amacmichael]

I have exactly the same issue!
The history was that I was trying the repair a code 10 problem, I was following some instruction from the tinterweb in which I enbale the Reset conif data in the PnP/PCI configurations bit in the Bios.
I rebooted and now have the problem!!

I too don't have a CD that I can boot from

Any help most appreciated

Al





i guss this is because i used AD-AWARE or SPYBOT and it deleted an important part of the registry. . . instead of the virus

please help!!!


missing or corrupt file: windows\system32\config\system

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

it seems i tried to delete a virus from regedit on my own and deleted an important file on accident, causing my windows to no longer load. . .


causing this message to come up wen i turn on the computer:

missing or corrupt file: windows\system32\config\system

and wont let me get on windows. . .

im not using a diff hard drive and i have the other one as a slave.


i wanted to know how i can fix this problem and be able to use my windows again

also, another issue is that i dont have the original XP cd or any other Xp cd . . . so i was wondering if there is a way to fix this issue without it???


i appreciate any help!!!

thanks!!

[tschrock]

I own a computer repair shop in Omaha and one in Lincoln, NE. We have had over 30 customers come into our Service Centers in the past 3 days complaining that their windows/system32/config/system file is missing.

Normally we would just replace it with a backup and send them on their way. But there is a new problem that has emerged in the past few days. It seems tat now the entire c:\windows\system32\config folder is missing all together. Since this folder stores important information about your profile, applications, and registry, the computer will not boot and you can not log into the recovery console to attempt a repair.

There is no known remedy for this problem, other than backing up your data, reinstalling Windows XP, and then copying your data back over and reinstalling your applications. Even after that, it is entirely possible that your computer will simply crash again later with the same problem.

We have created a simple DOS batch file as well as a tutorial that shows you how to use it that will back up your config folder *in case* this should happen to you again. We have also listed instructions on how to recover your Windows installation using that backup in the event of a crash.

You can view the tutorial and download the backup tool at:

http://www.schrockinnovations.com/preventsys32config.php Sorry to anyone out there who has been nailed by this, and I hope this backup batch program will help save you in the future.

[3dogs]

Two questions:

1. I can pull the HD containing XP and put it into an USB enclosure then hook it up to another computer. If it would be useful, I can post on what files are contained in any folder. Assuming I am on the right track here, are there files available either in XP on my HD, on an XP CD or the internet that would contain data to let me boot again?

2. The afflicted computer runs XP Pro. I can't find my XP Pro CD but I do have my XP Home CD. I read (here I think) that I can't use the recovery console of Home on Pro. Is this true? If not, can I copy files from Pro to my HD described above?

Thanks

Edit:

I seem to be posting to myself or future generations, but here goes. I pulled the HD, put it in my USB enclosure, hooked it up to another PC and found the c:windows\system32\config\system file. It was not missing. It was about 5MB. I renamed it to system old. I found the c:\windows\repair\system file. It was about a year old and only .9MB, but I put it in the c:windows\system32\config folder.

Now Windows boots, but its unstable. It randomly reboots, runs a check program after the splash screen, notes problems, says its fixing them, but then runs again the next time, even when I shutdown properly. I am replacing the IDE cables, since I have some and disconnecting my slave HD and CD roms etc.

My next step will be to retry the styem old file and see if it acts as it did when the problem started.

[Buckets_PC]

I own a computer repair shop in Omaha and one in Lincoln, NE. We have had over 30 customers come into our Service Centers in the past 3 days complaining that their windows/system32/config/system file is missing.

Normally we would just replace it with a backup and send them on their way. But there is a new problem that has emerged in the past few days. It seems tat now the entire c:\windows\system32\config folder is missing all together. Since this folder stores important information about your profile, applications, and registry, the computer will not boot and you can not log into the recovery console to attempt a repair.

There is no known remedy for this problem, other than backing up your data, reinstalling Windows XP, and then copying your data back over and reinstalling your applications. Even after that, it is entirely possible that your computer will simply crash again later with the same problem.

We have created a simple DOS batch file as well as a tutorial that shows you how to use it that will back up your config folder *in case* this should happen to you again. We have also listed instructions on how to recover your Windows installation using that backup in the event of a crash.

You can view the tutorial and download the backup tool at:

http://www.schrockinnovations.com/preventsys32config.php Sorry to anyone out there who has been nailed by this, and I hope this backup batch program will help save you in the future.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
had this happen to me on Sat. evening, took it to the shop on Monday, they said ah yeah we can fix it .. :grumble: friday now still now word yet..
I used the tools (.bat) file on this PC at work just in case ... my other is a 250 WD/SATA3 drive but it didn't have alot on it , I told them to back it up ALL up anyway, gonna cost a mint to fix it and you bet I gonna use that file on it too.


Thanks for the info ..... Mark

[Siggy]

I have had 4 PCs in for repair with exactly this problem in the last week (including my wifes) I seriously think there is a virus that is causing this that the AV companies have not woken up to yet - Recovery console doesnt work - XP reinstal doesnt work and changing RAM doesnt work

Checkdisk r only seems to make it worse!

oh well back to the drawing board!

[rcdif]

I have a Dell Inspiron 2500 ( don't know what is inside) with the windows\system32\config\system file missing or corrup error. Recovery console does not work XP reinstal doesnt work. After booting from the cd that came with the computer it will take me to the screen that lets you choose either repair or XP set up both will take you to the same blue screen in the recovery console your only choice is C:\WINDOWS after selecting that it takes you to a blue screen that says windows shut down to protect your computer etc.At the bottom of the page it gives the fallowing technical info 0X00000051 (0XE10EA668, 0X004EA000, 0X000001D5) I have read this thread nothing fits my problem I have no idea where to go from here.

[3dogs]

Switching to Linux.

[profdlp]

...At the bottom of the page it gives the following technical info 0X00000051...
According to MS, that is a Registry problem. (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=282501)

You can try restoring it by following our comrade Thrax's Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands (http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=313) advice. :)

[rcdif]

I wish I could. the r console will not go past the c:\windows command, in other words after I type the one (1) command for the drive I want it takes me to the blue screen it will not let me go any futher

[profdlp]

Try running Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58) and the test from your hard drive manufacturer. You can do both from a bootable floppy or cdrom, meaning that any Windows problem(s) won't be a factor.

If everything tests A-OK, a Repair Install might be in order. Let us know how it goes. :)

[Buckets_PC]

I wish I could. the r console will not go past the c:\windows command, in other words after I type the one (1) command for the drive I want it takes me to the blue screen it will not let me go any futher

that's what happened to me ... then it says Bad_Pool_Caller which is supposed to be a bad memory chip, well I have 4 - 512's DDR400 DualChannel Kingston Hyper X chips they all can't be bad :wtf: tried all kinds of combinations and the same error. Still at the repair shop looks like it's going to be a backup and re-install for me :screwed: I had a work PC to fall back on hope it don't get wacky on me too.
Mark

[Thrax]

Did you test every stick by itself in every slot?

[Buckets_PC]

Did you test every stick by itself in every slot?

well I did 2 then the other 2 then a single .... as far as slots just the ones the mb said would work for each config. the computer was/is only 3-4 months old, this is the only problem it's had since the build.

Mark..

[Thrax]

Sometimes the slots can go bad also. It's important to test each stick individually in each slot to test all the sticks AND all the DIMMs.

[Buckets_PC]

Sometimes the slots can go bad also. It's important to test each stick individually in each slot to test all the sticks AND all the DIMMs.

I'm not sure what the deal is .... I hope I can get it back soon :skeptic: the repair place have all the certifications you can think of and mem testers as well so they should sort things out ..
Mark

[rcdif]

Thanks for the help. Downloaded Memtest- v3.2 ran it three times test 0-0 errors; test 1-3 errors; test 2-18 errors; test 3-124 errors; test 4-480 errors; test 5-256 errors; rest 6-512 errors; test 7-160 errors; test 8-4 errors; test 9- 0 errors. I don' know the make of my hard drive is there any way to find out without taking the lap top apart? If i need to I will. I used defalt configuration ECC off.

[profdlp]

Any errors in Memtest means that the stick is either misconfigured or bad.

Run the test again with ECC off and see if the errors recur. If not, it was just a matter of trying to get something out of the RAM which isn't there to begin with. If they do come back, try lowering the RAM timing. (This may not be possible on a laptop.) If you have more than one stick in there, try each of them individually. If it's still no dice it means that the RAM is going to need to be replaced.

For the hard drive, there is usually a cover or drive bay where you can get at it enough to read the label. Seeing as how you had a serious number of memory errors, I'd concentrate on that for the time being. There's not much point in going after the hard drive until the RAM issue is settled.

Good luck. :wave:

[rcdif]

I ran memtest-86 again, came up with 414 errors ran (through one cycle) removed memory from slot B and ran program leaving stick in slot A 353 errors, ran program on second mempry stick that was in slot B (put in slot A) 0 ERRORS. I put good stick in slot A and booted from CD. No go acted the same as before.

[profdlp]

I'd go with a Repair Install at this point, rcdif.

[rcdif]

Ok How do I do that when I boot off the cd and select the set up option it takes me to the blue screen

[Buckets_PC]

well mine is working w/o a wipe re-install .... he said he was able to do a restore point ? and it's seem to be Ok. I tried every which way to do a restore and got the blue screen ???
got lucky I guess ... Thank You ... Jesus
Mark

[philodox]

To Tex, and others with DFI NF4 motherboard:

Hey Guys,

I used to have an ASUS A8N-SLI [oh, how I miss it], but when I installed a new XFX 6800GS video card it was either too much for my Enermax 350W PSU to handle or I jogged it loose when moving the computer and shorted something out. In any case, the ASUS motherboard died.

My Wife is completely dependant on our computer, so I sort of had to scramble to get a new PSU and motherboard [to be safe]. The new PSU didn't correct things, but the new motherboard did... well, sort of. [My new PSU is a Enermax Liberty 500W btw, and it is wicked cool]

Anyways, after struggling for a long time I managed to get XP installed. Huge problems getting it to boot from CD and instal properly. After the install, I did a bunch of updates and was forced to reboot.

I bet you can guess what error message I got.

So... after pulling out my hair during a day of troubleshooting [I called in sick] I discovered that there is a rather silly fix for this problem. A temporary fix anyways.

If you get this error message, turn off the computer. Set the CMOS jumper to blow away the BIOS. Set it back to default. Turn on the computer and press F1 if necissary to continue.

Boots up fine.

The funny thing is that the next time you reboot you get the damn error message again, even though the BIOS should still be at default settings.

If you do the 'trick' again at this point it boots normally.

Now, I haven't tried the 'Corrupt Hive' fix linked here, but I have strong reservations that this will correct the issue.

I tried flashing the BIOS on the motherboard and have updated all the drivers... any more suggestions? I miss my ASUS. :(

[Crashed & Burned]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

[philodox]

Sorry, was that supposed to help me? :rolleyes:

This is a fresh install. Or does installing it again perform some sort of magic? :confused:

I suppose I could just run the install from Windows since I can get in using my 'trick'? I don't want to have to try a billion times to get this POS to boot from CD like I did the first time. :mouldy:

[Crashed & Burned]

Tex,

I'm in big trouble and saw your post and registered. I tried doing the above and everything was working OK till the point where XP Pro (infamous hack FCKGW) with last update about a year ago but still SP1 asked me to F8 to agree to licenseing but I couldn't input F8 - computer didn't take keyboard command but other keys seem to work.

Is Bill up to something?

I'm very sorry that I've been running a hacked copy with no problems for about 2 years and am wanting to upgrade to legitimate MS OS.

So, I'm not AS worried about being able to recover windows right now as I am NOT losing any data on my HD - This is my biggest fear as I wasn't backed up - dah. Won't run without being backed up anymore.

Any help is very greatly appreciated
Crashed & Burned

[philodox]

Well, I figured out a fix for me at least.

It was my memory. Well, sort of.

I ran memtest while it was in 1&3 and there were tons of errors. I almost went out and bought new memory right there, but I read on the dfi-street forums that people have been having better luck with 2&4 [orange slots].

So I tested each stick on it's own in slot 2 and had no errors. I then put both sticks in 2&4 and ran the tests with zero errors again.
The computer now boots every time with no problems consistently. :canflag:

[StandardsDT]

sounds like a lot of people are encountering the same problem or something similar. my windows installation all together is missing the system32 folder. for the past couple days my computer would just go through the bios, get to the grub to choose windows or linux. chose windows screen turns black, monitor power light turns orange, then goes back to green and then back at the bios again. this happens over and over again. also from what ive read so far theres no possible way for me to recover the system32 folder unless i have the xp cd which is what i dont have. but i might as well ask is there some other way to fix this problem. can i take the system32 folder from my other computer, copy it, and then drop it right in to the windows directory of my other windows installation?

[Crashed & Burned]

I'm a newbie to forum and only moderately computer savvy.

Lot's of people getting \system32\config\system missing OR system corrupt.

What to do?

I've seen several variations of doing repair installs, Using Recovery Console, etc., on this forum and elsewhere ........

:wave: BUT if your primary objective is to save your data (If it's MORE important to you then immediately recovering windows,

AND you get transplant you're non-bootable HD into another computer,
THEN wouldn't it make more sense to do that and then backup your files on another computer 1st BEFORE tring to recover Windows where there ?MIGHT? be a risk of losing data IF\OR you do recover windows?:respect:

[Rupy]

is it possible that I ont have a system32 file in my windows file?

[iamthacheese210]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and was directed here after googling my problem.

I am getting the error->

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\Windows\System32\Config\System

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

I've read the Kelly's fix-tutorial as well as the Microsoft's tutorial. However, a problem occurred when attempting to do their procedure. When I get to the recovery console, and type "1" for 'which windows installation would you like to log onto,' I get a blue screen which says I have a "PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA." The error code is 'STOP:0x00000050 (0xC3E40000, 0x00000001, 0x80540056, 0x00000000).'

I've read most of the thread and most people say the cause of this is a screw-up in the RAM.

My questions are:
1. How would I fix my computer without losing my data?
2. Should I try using different RAM or putting the RAM into different slots to see if anything changes?
3. I also have seen people recommend the Memtest program, so I assume i should run it also?

[nezinu5]

I have the same problem on windows 2000 . I think that`s maybe because of incompatibility of ide drivers and win2000 or acpi functions, because i get this error after everty time when i accidentaly turn off my pc using power off button (however in control panel-power management options there is - when i press power button on computer, then shut down) or even shutting down clicking on shut down not pressing button, but it simply shuts down TOO FAST and maybe can't save registry settings or make system to crash in some similar way? I installed windows 2000 because of better performance for my pc then it is on winxp and this is a only but really big problem for me, cause i have to make repair process (with win2000 boot disk copying system file from windows\repair folder to system32) every time when i turn off my pc wrong. What could you recommend to do? ( i know it`s not because of ram- it worked perfectly on winxp and similar problem (missing registry system) on winxp i have seen only when there is some real electro-crash ( lost electricity because of storms).
ps.sorry for my bad English

[BMX900080]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex

ok heres the problem i have the problem, i tried to do wut u told me, but it tells me my filesystem is corrupt.... u said you could walk me through this, well i need a lil help, thank you!!

[Enverex]

1. How would I fix my computer without losing my data?
2. Should I try using different RAM or putting the RAM into different slots to see if anything changes?
3. I also have seen people recommend the Memtest program, so I assume i should run it also?

Nothing you do (short of formatting your hard-drive which you shouldn't be doing anyway) will cause you to lose data. Yes, try the RAM in the different slots first and if you have any RAM that would actually work in that PC then you can try that. After you've tried those two options you can try Memtest (or try if first if you want) which will test your RAM for errors (needs to be run for quite a few hours to be thorough).

I'm a newbie to forum and only moderately computer savvy.

Lot's of people getting \system32\config\system missing OR system corrupt.

What to do?

I've seen several variations of doing repair installs, Using Recovery Console, etc., on this forum and elsewhere ........

:wave: BUT if your primary objective is to save your data (If it's MORE important to you then immediately recovering windows,

AND you get transplant you're non-bootable HD into another computer,
THEN wouldn't it make more sense to do that and then backup your files on another computer 1st BEFORE tring to recover Windows where there ?MIGHT? be a risk of losing data IF\OR you do recover windows?:respect:

Unless you do something really stupid then your data will be fine and copying everything to another drive would add a long time onto the whole fixing process doing something unncessary. The only time you'd need to do this is if you've completely wrecked your Windows install or the drive is dying.

sounds like a lot of people are encountering the same problem or something similar. my windows installation all together is missing the system32 folder. for the past couple days my computer would just go through the bios, get to the grub to choose windows or linux. chose windows screen turns black, monitor power light turns orange, then goes back to green and then back at the bios again. this happens over and over again. also from what ive read so far theres no possible way for me to recover the system32 folder unless i have the xp cd which is what i dont have. but i might as well ask is there some other way to fix this problem. can i take the system32 folder from my other computer, copy it, and then drop it right in to the windows directory of my other windows installation?

Try doing the method outlined in the initial post. If that doesn't work then use the Windows CD to do a recovery install (you get to this by telling it to install Windows to the partition you know it's already on, it should then complain that there is already a copy of Windows there and that you can do a recovery instead then select that option). Recovery install will get rid of Grub though so you'll need to re-install Grub afterwards.

Tex,

I'm in big trouble and saw your post and registered. I tried doing the above and everything was working OK till the point where XP Pro (infamous hack FCKGW) with last update about a year ago but still SP1 asked me to F8 to agree to licenseing but I couldn't input F8 - computer didn't take keyboard command but other keys seem to work.

Is Bill up to something?

I'm very sorry that I've been running a hacked copy with no problems for about 2 years and am wanting to upgrade to legitimate MS OS.

So, I'm not AS worried about being able to recover windows right now as I am NOT losing any data on my HD - This is my biggest fear as I wasn't backed up - dah. Won't run without being backed up anymore.

Any help is very greatly appreciated
Crashed & Burned

Are you using a USB Keyboard? If so get your hands on a PS/2 keyboard if you can and use that instead. If you are using a PS/2 keyboard make sure USB Legacy support is turned off in the BIOS.

Ok How do I do that when I boot off the cd and select the set up option it takes me to the blue screen

Do the same as I recommended for StandardsDT (the recovery/repair install bit).

ok heres the problem i have the problem, i tried to do wut u told me, but it tells me my filesystem is corrupt.... u said you could walk me through this, well i need a lil help, thank you!!

When you get to setup, rather than pressing R for the recovery console carry on as normal. It should give you a list of drives and partitions on your PC. Do they show up properly (the right amount and does it say NTFS by them?).

I have the same problem on windows 2000 . I think that`s maybe because of incompatibility of ide drivers and win2000 or acpi functions, because i get this error after everty time when i accidentaly turn off my pc using power off button (however in control panel-power management options there is - when i press power button on computer, then shut down) or even shutting down clicking on shut down not pressing button, but it simply shuts down TOO FAST and maybe can't save registry settings or make system to crash in some similar way? I installed windows 2000 because of better performance for my pc then it is on winxp and this is a only but really big problem for me, cause i have to make repair process (with win2000 boot disk copying system file from windows\repair folder to system32) every time when i turn off my pc wrong. What could you recommend to do? ( i know it`s not because of ram- it worked perfectly on winxp and similar problem (missing registry system) on winxp i have seen only when there is some real electro-crash ( lost electricity because of storms).
ps.sorry for my bad English

This was actually a bug in Windows 98 I believe but I wasn't aware of it in Windows 2000. Have you managed to get the machine back up yet via the routine outlined in the first post?

[BMX900080]

uhhh they came up, but anyway... i just re-installed a fresh copy of Windows XP Pro SP2... well anyway... i think she had a virus that caused this problem... because when her computer was working, i would click the "start" button or right-click on something & it would freeze immediatly, then i put an anti-virus on it, restarted the computer & this error came up saying system missing or w.e but anyway... i re-installed Windows XP Pro SP2, now its cool, but when it starts up it still comes up with this error saying "Hard drive to imminite failure", but this could be incorrect... who knows... anyway right now its working fast, virus-free, and it runs... no problems except the error when it starts up.... o well ill keep yall updated :)

[Thrax]

Hard drive imminent failure is a SMART warning; the hard drive's internal diagnostic tool. You hard drive will die within the next 90 days.

[Enverex]

What Thrax said, thats also probably why it was acting funky before. You need to back up everything on that drive to somewhere else and buy a new one.

[BMX900080]

wait a sec... i HAVE to get a new hard drive, whats wrong with it? i mean how did this happen? her computer is running great now... whats wrong? i think this error is fake.... the hard drive seems fine, i did 3 check disks, it says all layers/sectors are fine.... so maybe this error is fake? please some enlighten me...

[nezinu5]

I have the same problem on windows 2000 . I think that`s maybe because of incompatibility of ide drivers and win2000 or acpi functions, because i get this error after everty time when i accidentaly turn off my pc using power off button (however in control panel-power management options there is - when i press power button on computer, then shut down) or even shutting down clicking on shut down not pressing button, but it simply shuts down TOO FAST and maybe can't save registry settings or make system to crash in some similar way? I installed windows 2000 because of better performance for my pc then it is on winxp and this is a only but really big problem for me, cause i have to make repair process (with win2000 boot disk copying system file from windows\repair folder to system32) every time when i turn off my pc wrong. What could you recommend to do? ( i know it`s not because of ram- it worked perfectly on winxp and similar problem (missing registry system) on winxp i have seen only when there is some real electro-crash ( lost electricity because of storms).
ps.sorry for my bad English

This was actually a bug in Windows 98 I believe but I wasn't aware of it in Windows 2000. Have you managed to get the machine back up yet via the routine outlined in the first post?


Enverex, i know how to get machine back. Simply restoring registry files from repair folders. Even chkdsk /f didn't help, but i don't understand WHY it does so that every 5-6 times when i shutdown my pc with start-shutdown or with button (doesn't matter). After restart my registry becomes corrupted again. Last time i got error:

Stop: 0xc0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

What could be wrong with my Windows 2000 or pc? I know only that pc`s shutdown does it but how to fix it?

[Enverex]

Have you run anything like memtest to check your RAM or one of the manufacturers HD testing programs to make sure you haven't got dying/faulty hardware?

[nezinu5]

Yes, i tested memory and other hardware, hdd is also new 250 GB WD. I said already that all is fine on windows xp, problems only with win2k. I have all newest patches and right drivers.

[tschrock]

Disk error messages are never fake.

[profdlp]

If this is a S.M.A.R.T. error you need to back up your data, then run the test from the HD manufacturer as soon as possible.

If this is some sort of lousy pop-up window telling you to "click here" for more info, it is likely that you have a spyware infestation.

Describe the error message in detail. When do you see it? What exactly does it say?

[BMX900080]

Exact message:

1720- SMART Hard Drive detects imminent failure (Failing Attr: 05)



Then it says "Ignore" in a blue box and F1, it still starts up if i press F1 tho, and everything is running correctly in Windows XP Pro (SP2)... but i dunno..

DO I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE???? I mean its working correctly, whats wrong????

-Sam

[BMX900080]

I dont even know wut HD i have??? aghhh.....


-Sam

[Enverex]

Because it is ABOUT TO DIE. Think of it like being told you have a brain tumor that is growing. Sure, you feel fine now but soon there will be side effects and then poof, you're dead. So, if you want the drive to jusr die and lose everything on it, sure, ignore it.

[Old Stump]

P.P.S I have noticed that when im in the recovery console my command differs from the ones shown on the screenshots found here ---> http://www.toughadmin.com/article.php?article=System

Instead of C:\WINDOWS I only get C:\>

This probably just highlights how windows has completely failed on my system.


This is the prob I'm running into also. When I try to change to the Windows directory it tells me "Access is denied", and subsequently I'm unable to change to the system32/config directories. Any way around this? At present it's not a gigantic issue, as I've set the drive as a slave and have access to most everything I need/want... but I'd still like to get the thing repaired if possible.

Thanks in advance,

Stump

[profdlp]

...When I try to change to the Windows directory it tells me "Access is denied"...
See if this helps. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810881/) :)

[Old Stump]

My bad, I wasn't specific enough. I'm getting this prob in the recovery console. So that link didn't cure me, but thx tho! =)

[profdlp]

...I'm getting this prob in the recovery console...
It may take a little reading to figure out just how to use it, but see if using the Attrib command (http://www.computerhope.com/attribhl.htm) can get you access to the directory. :)

[DaphneHarridge]

Hello, hello, hello! Yet another newbie to the forum who is getting the dreaded system32 message.

I read this: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm but I didn't understand it.
:confused:

I have an eMachine T3256 that has worked fine for well over a year until I did an improper shutdown 2 days ago.

When I turn it on, I get this:
"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

The only disc I have is labeled "emachines Restore DVD". I put in the DVD drive and get this:
System Restore Menu/Windows XP
===============
1.Restore Windows XP
2.Boot to command prompt from CD-Rom

Please select 1 or 2:

If I select 1, I get a WARNING message saying that all files on my hard disk will be lost. Well, I don't want that, so I select 2 and it gives me this:

A:\>

I'm guessing it wants me to tell it what to do, but I have no idea. The manual is no help since it only tells me how to do a complete restore which I don't want to do since I'm a dolt who does not have her files backed up.

Any help at all will be very much appreciated!
DH

[snyderfmly5]

:wow2: Hi all,
I unfortuantly have the same problem with my Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop. I have read through all 9 pages of advice. I have tried them all. But still nothing worked. It turns out that I do not have a tmp folder with the file in it. I don't even have a folder on my puter with it in it. I would really appreciate anyone who can help me get this up and running without losing my data, I too have no backed up my puter, and need alot that is on it. Thank you all so much, this forum has been very very helpful.
Sincerly,
Sxyladybug

http://www.cafepress.com/sxyladybugs

[jetaimejsc]

this is my problem i start everything and i get the windows error so i out the cd in and start computer again so the winXP Pro starts so i want to install cause i dont have a automated something disk so it loads everthing and when it says to press enter to install window it goes to another screen and it says that there is no disk drive installed but there is one cause when i go to the PhoenixBIOS setup utility it show it but i dont understand what is wrong with this and before i did anything without the cd it would at lest tell me that windows\system32\config\system missing now it doesnt even tell me that it tells me that no operating system so please help me :bawling: please

[jetaimejsc]

it tell me the same thing about not having a hard drive even tough i insert another hard drive in the computer

[takukas]

Hi!

I had the problem with the missing system file.

I did what the Microsoft KB said but now I have problems with the password.

When windows starts I get an error of passwords dont match.

When I try to use the recovery console it tells me that the admin password is not correct although I have never changed it from blank as it was from the last install of windows.

Is there any way around that??

Thank you for any help you can provide!!!

Minas


PS windows XP Home - Toshiba laptop

[Buckets_PC]

geezz ... sounds to me like a windows XP bug in an update(s) if so many people have had this problem? I'm keeping my Boot drive backed up weekly to be safe. Dude if SMART is saying drive is going bad back it up NOW!!!! If it's less than a yr. old you prolly can get a replacement one for free from the Manuf.
I had a Maxtor 60g die on me and I lost 5yrs. of stuff that never can be replaced...
Mark

[takukas]

Hi!

I had the problem with the missing system file.

I did what the Microsoft KB said but now I have problems with the password.

When windows starts I get an error of passwords dont match.

When I try to use the recovery console it tells me that the admin password is not correct although I have never changed it from blank as it was from the last install of windows.

Is there any way around that??

Thank you for any help you can provide!!!

Minas


PS windows XP Home - Toshiba laptop


I managed to solve the problem. I used an XP password finder. It had the possibility to reset the passwords. This didnt help.

It did have another tool to make the recovery console not to ask for any password. This helped get back into the recovery console and let me reinstate all the files I changed.

Strangelly enough when I copied the old system file on next boot I had no problems!!! It started as before although I used the "corrupted" file!!!

Windows doesnt know what it needs I think!!


Minas

[HazelrahFiver]

Hello. I am having the same problem as most on this thread. Cannot find the file Config/System
I boot from the Windows XP cd and it gets to the point where it is recommended that I do not start installing a new copy of windows (because it should detect the old). It does not detect it. I got a hold of a tech guy (friend of a friend) and he said it would be ok to select the drive. I did so and it did not start over-writing my old windows, it gave me the option to format or to do nothing... Now obviously I don't want to format the partition, but I got no other options handed to me. It never detected my old drive to try and fix it.

Any ideas or suggestions from this point on?

EDIT: Another question I have is if using the Recovery Console will damage/delete files or just programs. Even if I have to install all my programs again that would be acceptable as opposed to losing my files. Some people on here have suggested using the Rec. Console, but I want to make sure it's safe.
EDIT#2: Well, I tried to run the Recovery Console without waiting for advice, but it didn't matter. The Console barely starts and tells me to select the Windows drive to log onto. This is not written in the Recovery Console Guide that keeps being linked in this thread. I can only type one character and nothing seems to have any effect at all (why should it? I don't ge to type any command prompts.) Any tips for running the Recovery Console?

EDIT#3: Ok, I got the Recovery Console to work effectively (according to the Corrupt Hive link). Now a brand new error comes up stating: NTLDR is missing. I did look up how to fix this before posting here. It involved creating a boot disk with a particular ISO (in my case a boot cd because I don't have a floppy drive (but I pray this isn't the problem)). Followed those instructions and it simply didn't care that I had put in a boot disk... didn't bother reading it at all. I even changed the cd drive to the primary boot location, but still nothing. Any ideas?

[stropes]

If it ever asks you to format or create a partition DON'T DO IT ! It shouldn't ask you on a repair install. So if you see that in any way we have deeper problems. BAIL OUT. Do not proceed.
Tex

I'm running into the same issue as the others, when I boot off the CD and try and install, I get a message stating something like C drive is unformatted, damaged.......Setup needs to format this drive.
Any suggestions?

I've bailed out, but what now?
Help!

[mnmbug7]

I have read through this entire thread and feel as though I am about to beat a dead horse! :aol:

SO...I too am getting the message and am trying to boot up from the XP CD. And yes, I have changed the boot order in BIOS. The problem I am having is that the CD is being accessed but only gets as far as the blue screen which says 'Windows Setup' and then the computer reboots yet again. So I am unable to access anything to be able to type in any kind of command. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!!!!!

[profdlp]

mnmbug7, spontaneous reboots like that are usually caused by bad RAM or a failing PSU. Try running Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58) and see what that says.

[mf15]

Tried everything here and on other boards with no luck the hd was too messed up with I guess a power spike and power failure in the house.
I slaved the hd to my new computer and windows fixed most of the problems automatically. I then ran virus scan and transferred my files to the new computer. Put the hd back into the old computer and now got
system32\drivers\ntfs.sys missing. Did a system recovery and that restored the drivers. But windows had to set up from scratch, restore points were lost.
But all the old files were there and windows seems to be working ok.
This actually was rather easy windows xp media edition did all the work to get rid of the windows\system32\config\system missing problems.
Thanks for all the solutions. This is my first post here and hopefully my last Old Mike

[Armo]

heres what you need to do, i hope your familiar with DOS :)

start up the machine in recovery mode, with the XP cd in your machine boot fromt he CD and go into the recovery console by hitting 'R'

from there it dumps you to a command promt window, from the current location you need to go into the directory with all of your save points. So type in:

cd "C:\system volume information"

when you get into that directory type:

"CD _R*" this should take you into the dipository for your computers restore points. if you do a DIR /A:D command you can see them all sorted by date. you want to choose arestore point near the newest, but not the very last one, thats apparently corruped as you can tell from the awesome message you get when you try to start your machine.

go into one of the resotre points by typing CD RP(whatever number) under there is a folder called snapshot you need to go into, so CD snapshot, when you get into the snapshot folder you are in the directory where your computer backs up the registry files. it backs them up and then renames them, when you do a dir they are called:

_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE

since you only seem to have the system part corrupted thats all you need to recover, first rename the file to the appropriete name by typing

ren _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM SYSTEM

there is a space between _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM and SYSTEM, the file its sefl should just be called SYSTEM.

now then to copy it to the correct location, type in

copy SYSTEM C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
it will ask if you want to overwrite the file, say yes, cause that one is bad.

shut the machine down and give her a crank, theres a posibility it may not work the first time, you may have to restore from a diffrent restore point all together, or you may have to resotore more of the registry.

when you do get your machine up and running i suggest you make a BartPE disk so you can do this WAY easier, infact i made a plugin for BartPE that does this exact same thing with a flick of the wrist. http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48794

let me know if you run into troubles.

[mnmbug7]

Prof - I had two memory sticks so I booted with one in at a time. It turns out one of them is bad. Thanks for the info!

[profdlp]

Prof - I had two memory sticks so I booted with one in at a time. It turns out one of them is bad. Thanks for the info!
Sorry to hear about the RAM, but at least most manufacturers these days are offering lengthy (often lifetime) warranties.

Regardless, it's at least nice to know what the problem is. :cheers:

[emunster]

Hi, i'm new to this site and I would like some help with my computer. I have the same problem with "windows\system32\config\system missing". I have a Dell 3000 with Windows XP and I have tried everything from a memory test to Fdisk and I have tried to reinstall Windows Xp over 20 times and I still get the same message. I have also tried to repair it with the instructions on the Microsoft website and I get the same message. I don't need any information from my hard drive so I am willing to do a clean install and I can't.

Can I do a clean install with a dell re installation cd or do I need a full version XP cd. One thing that I noticed when I try to re-install windows XP is that when it reaches the 13th minute remaining the monitor glitches for a split second and the dos system appears and at the 3rd minute remaining the monitor glitches again but shows two dos windows minimized and then it disappears. I have also reset the bios and have put another hard drive into my dell and I get the same message. I even tried my hard drive into another working computer and I get the same message.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

[TAZ1028]

HI....AS I AM NEW TO THIS...I HAVE A COMPUTER THAT WAS WORKING GREAT THEN......POW!!!
HERE IS WHAT I CAN SEE ALONG WITH THE BLACK BACKGROUND, ON ALL THREE PAGES.

1st PAGE: READS THE DELL SYMBOL ON THE START UP PAGE

2nd PAGE: FOR A SPLIT SECOND OF A SECOND, ON THE TOP OF THE PAGE IT READS..i think.. LOADING PBR FOR DESCRIPTOR 2 DONE...i think its so hard to see..too fast.

3rd PAGE: WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:
\WINDOW\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
THEN UNDER THIS IT SAYS:
YOU CAN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS FILE BY STARTING WINDOWS SETUP USING THE ORIGINAL SETUP CD-ROM. SELECT 'r ' AT THE FIRST SCREEN TO START REPAIRS....

I TRIED THIS ONLY 500 TIMES IN DIFFERENT ORDERS OR WAYS OR WHATEVER.. NO GO...

THE ONLY THINGS I CAN DO IS GET INTO THE F2 AND THE F12 AND THE F8 BUTTONS ... NOTHING ELSE WORKS....

THANK YOU FOR ANY AND ALL OF YOUR HELP... I AM STUCK..... I AM READY TO THROW THIS OUT THE WINDOW.... THIS COMP IS JUST OVER A YEAR... AND THEN THIS HAPPENS... EVERYTHING EXPIRES...THEN IT BRAKES ON YOU..
THANKS CHERYL:

[BNX]

Hey guys, Shorty thank heavens for the link you sent...

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

this worked..... All that other stuff people said on this thread didn't work for me,but I did what they said on that page and I'm back in action....Thanks so much...I never would have been able to even try to do this on my own.:aol:


BNX

[webecho]

I have a very simple solution posted here Repair windows\system32\config\system error (http://www.webechodesigns.com/blog/2006/08/repair-windowssystem32-configsystem.html)

Hope it helps you all


Webecho

[kcin02]

Hello,

I'm new to the site and I just got the common "windows\system32\config\system missing" error suddenly. Now after reading through the posts I still seem to have an issue. My XP install is currently on a SATA drive whereas my other two drives are ATA. So when I boot from my XP cd and go to the recovery console, my SATA drive with XP does not show up. Therefore I can't search for my windows directory and replace the system file. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[profdlp]

...when I boot from my XP cd and go to the recovery console, my SATA drive with XP does not show up...
You'll need to do the F5 thing to add extra drivers. Have the floppy disk with the SATA drivers handy and watch the bottom of the screen as the cdrom boots up. :)

[kcin02]

I was hoping you wouldn't say that :(

Of course I don't have a floppy drive so it's the biggest pain ever to get things working. Thank you for the info.

[profdlp]

...Of course I don't have a floppy drive so it's the biggest pain ever to get things working...
A very common complaint these days. The good news is that you can probably find one for around $10 new, or next-to-nothing used.

[pablo]

I have a very simple solution posted here Repair windows\system32\config\system error (http://www.webechodesigns.com/blog/2006/08/repair-windowssystem32-configsystem.html)

Hope it helps you all


Webecho


Hi there, i have tried this solution along with many others to no avail....
essentially it tells me
c:/windows/repair/system
THE SYSTEM CANNOT FIND THE FILE SPECIFIED

it seems the file doesnt even exist, any suggestons
as far as specs its a dell inspiron 1100 and my cpu knowledge is so-so

thanks in advance
paul

[dryjen007]

hi all,

i'm also affected this heck erro windows\system32\config\system. i'm using windows xp home edition. i already tried all the given solutions on this thread but it didn't work on my computer.

please help me out on finding other solutions. i don't want to format my computer since there are already a lot of applications that seems i can't re-run if i do a fresh installation of windows xp.

thanks in advance.
dryjen007

[patitodehule]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post on the forum so I'm kinda excited :Rocker:

I consider myself a very tech savvy person, but there's an issue with a friend's laptop that' s making me have a hard time.

I already went through these 10 pages for the issue where the hive is damaged...

Most of them talk about inserting the windows xp cd, going to recovery console and then press R... my issue is that, the computer just gets stuck in the blue screen that says "Setup is starting windows..." and that´s it. Sometimes it´s the blue screen, sometimes is a black screen only.

I already tried a windows xp home cd, a windows xp pro and the same message is shown. It just won´t get pass that screen.

I also tried to boot using ERD commander - no effect, ERD returns a BSOD with a pcy.sys error sometimes, some others it´s a memory error code, I´ll write them down and let you know. I also tried bart´s PE and shows a BSOD too. I also tried hirens´boot cd, but since this is an NTFS disk, all disk check or explorer tools do not seem to work, except for the specially related to NTFS. I am able to see the contents of the hard disk once I do this, so disk is not dead. I have also used UBCD and several other bootable cd´s in an attempt to have access to c: and run CHKDSK from there. I remember I fixed a computer that way a long time ago.

This is an HP laptop and therefore it has no floppy, however I happened to have an old usb floppy that seems to be able to boot from, only thing I´m missing now is the floppies...

All this background is just to let you know what I have already tried, I don´t want to bore you to hell ajaja

So, what will it be your advice?

1) Run a memtest and don´t do anything until those results are in?
2) Try to boot using the floppy recovery cd package and the external usb floppy and follow the procedure to restore the registry hive? What worries me is if this step will provide me with the recovery console, from which I can either make a chkdsk or recover that backup registry.
3) Keep trying other windows cds?

Please let me know what would be the best choice :D

I do appreciate your assistance!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

DG

[profdlp]

...So, what will it be your advice?

1) Run a memtest and don´t do anything until those results are in?...
An excellent place to start. It pays to eliminate as many hardware-related problems as you can as quickly as you can.

Keep an eye on the "Pass" column - it will indicate the number of completed rounds of the entire battery of tests.

Good luck, and welcome to Short Media. :wave:

[patitodehule]

An excellent place to start. It pays to eliminate as many hardware-related problems as you can as quickly as you can.

Keep an eye on the "Pass" column - it will indicate the number of completed rounds of the entire battery of tests.

Good luck, and welcome to Short Media. :wave:

Thanks a lot! i'll go ahead and do that. Any particular settings or timeframe that I should be running the test?

[Thrax]

One pass is usually sufficient to reveal a DIMM's weakness.

[patitodehule]

Hello everyone!

Bad news - memory seems to be dead.

Just went ahead and tried MEMTEST86 & DocMemory & GoldenMemory & all of them show FAIL whenever ram is tested...

I somewhat refuse to agree that memory is dead! this is a spanking new laptop!

How could 1024 mb of ram go wrong in a couple of months?

Is there another way to confirm everything is dead?

I think I'll tell my friend to go ahead and take advantage of the warranty.

What can I do to take his data off the disk without cracking it open & take the HD out, since that will certainly void the warranty?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks once more for all your support.

[icglover]

well yea i get this message Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
that people have been talking about but the problem is i dont have the original disc. is there something i can do or is my computer totally screwed

Thanks: Ian

[lofer33]

so i'm getting the same message. i have tried 3 or 4 different techiniques including deleting, copying and reinstalling registry files. i found this forum today and tried several different things that i read about in this topic. i have xp media center with no windows disc. my recovery discs were stolen and i have tried using a professional edition recovery disc and that has failed every time. some help would be greatly appreciated.

[profdlp]

For the latest group of victims, have you tried this technique? (http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm)

[kingyng]

Sure. boot from the XP cd. Can you do that? Or do you need more simple instructions that tell ya how to do that too? I'm not jacking with ya, just need to know how low to target the level of instructions. There is no need for me to go through and write down here a bunch of extra steps you may know how to do now.

If you can boot from the XP cd let me know and I'll start there or I"ll walk you through getting that far if you can't get at least booted from the CD.

If you can boot and the file system isnt corrupt you just let it keep booting. It makes you hit enter or something saying you want to install, then it asks if you want to repair using recovery console and for now say "n" a few minutes later it looks for your old installs and if the disk file system is OK it should show you the disk and directory on whcih XP is installed and ask if you want to repair the existing installation and at that point I think it makes you even hit "R" for repair.

If it ever asks you to format or create a partition DON'T DO IT ! It shouldn't ask you on a repair install. So if you see that in any way we have deeper problems. BAIL OUT. Do not proceed.

As long as you do a repair install it keeps all your files and programs etc... but its got to be a repair not a fresh install. And its the second prompt about repairing NOT the first one asking if you want to use recovery console. Its only a total of like three mouse clicks and hitting "R" to get the repair going!

You can even call me on the phone and I'll walk you through it while your on the phone if your worried or in a hurry. This sounds scary but its not. Will take 5 to 10 minutes to get ya going on the phone depending on if we have other problems etc.. Get the XP cd and let me know when your ready to start if you want phone assistance. Look at it this way. I do this professionaly and your getting $100 an hour free tech support for the price of a phone call. And yes thats a great reason to pass www.short-media.com along to your friends at school or college. Very few if any web sites will actually have profesionals willing to give out their phone number and offer free tech support to other members like this. And its one reason short-media is so very cool.

Tex



I am also having "registry cannot load the hive (file) error and windows XP
cannot start up. I wish to repair it using the procedures you outline.
At setup after avoiding the recovery console, I was asked to choose the
partition for installation. After that I was told that I have an operation
system in the partition there already and was asked whether I wish to
install a second operation system in the same partition. There were
only 2 choices, either yes or choose another partition for Windows XP to
install. So what should I choose here?

[Zoltain]

Hello, I too am suffering from this infernal problem.

Ive read mostly everything so far but I am having trubles.

When i boot off the windows xp cd and go into "Microsoft Windows XP<TM> Recovery Console" i am not given the selection part of this message:


Microsoft Windows® Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log on to
(To cancel, press ENTER)?


After "Type EXIT to quit... the computer" it just gives me "C:\>" for the command prompt. Everything i've read requires me to have that turn to C:\WINDOWS.

Also with Tex suggestion on the first page I am not given the choice to run a repair after the initial screen.

Also i ran "chkdsk /p" and at the 50% mark it stoped and i recieved this message: "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems."

Any help would be greatly appreciated. (My computer is still under warrenty with Best Buy so worst comes to worst i can just send it to them. The problem is is that i dont want to loose all my data. I have an external hardrive but have no idea how to backup everything this late in the game. I have no other PC in the house, only macs.)

Thnx so much again :-D.

[profdlp]

...Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows Installation would you like to log on to
(To cancel, press ENTER)?


After "Type EXIT to quit...
Have you tried pressing the 1 key? ;)

[Zoltain]

Yes I have, it just says that the command isnt a recognized one, type help for a list of recognized commands.

[profdlp]

What does typing "help" list for options?

[Zoltain]

attrib
batch
bootcfg
cd
chdir
chkdsk
cls
copy
del
delete
dir
disable
diskpart
enable
exit
expand
fixboot
fixmbr
format
help
listsvc
logon
map
md
mkdir
more
net
rd
ren
rename
rmdir
systemroot
type


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
This lists a description of what all the commands do.

[profdlp]

Okey-dokey, just wanted to make sure that you were in the right place.

Zoltain, (and everyone else who is still beset with this problem), see if this handy guide (http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=313) will save your bacon. :)

[Zoltain]

Ahh... it looked like this one would work too since you need to be in c:\> but it does not for me. When i Type C:ATTRIB –H C:\BOOT.INI it says this file cannot be opened. :confused: :confused: :confused: . Why is my computer soo screwed up????? Thank you though for taking the time to help :bigggrin:

[jonny_h]

hey guys, new user here!

i got the old windows\system32\config\system missing screen as so did the world. i am a novice pc user. i can boot from cd but dont know hoe to get on system recovery! how do i?

thx jonny xx

[profdlp]

...i can boot from cd but dont know hoe to get on system recovery! how do i?...
...see if this handy guide (http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=313) will save your bacon. :)
Read and heed. :thumbup

[bimleshchangia]

Hi,

I'm getting the same problem but on different situation, I had put 1GB SD Ram in total i.e. i've 2 512 mb RAMs .. But when I removed 1 slot it worked perfect. I tried again then got the same problem.

Is it the hardware or OS problem?

Could anybody please help me on this problem?

Thanks Bimlesh

[profdlp]

Run Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58), on each stick individually and then on both sticks together.

[Lupus]

Hi,

I am the latest victim of the system32\config\system problem which occurred after a restart of my computer. I booted from the XP cd and through the recovery console tried to repair the config files according to the microsoft and kelly's guidelines but the system file is missing. What can I do now?

[sumeet]

No this isnt win98 thank god.

Boot from the cd. Do NOT do a repair using recovery console. proceed like you were doing a fresh install but BEFORE you select which disk to install to it will look for previous installs and ask if you want to repair it. DO NOT INSTALL A NEW COPY! Hit "r" to repair bt only when it shows you the previous install disk/directory not at the revovery console prompt!

If it does not see the old install post back as the filesystem is just corrupt and it can't read the boot.ini and I'll walk you through that repair. It isnt hard. And no she isnt going to lose any files as long as the disk is operating properly!

I've done this maybe... A hundred times.

Tex


Hey Dear Tex,
Thanx for the help...
I was for a longg time wondering about finding the system file in config folder..to backitup..and was unsuccessfull.
but yes now this simple tech helps a lott.
thanx in advance.
ciao
Take care!
sumeet

[Bryn]

Hey,

I've been having the same problem, one day the good old error message appeared and could not boot from cd (because it just restarted) or floppy disks (because it said File \biosoinfo.inf could not be loaded). I recently tried plugging the offending HDD into my other pc as a slave and backed up all my files onto dvds, which is a start I suppose. I then tried replacing the \windows\system32\config\system file in the brokedn HDD with one from yet another pc. Now when i try to load windows i dont even get the error message saying the file \windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt, the computer just restarts. Again cant boot from floppy of cdrom. I'm starting to get really frustrated with this. I've been browsing so many forums and no-one seems top have a solution apart from grabbing a sledge hammer and smashing the things to pieces, which believe me is something I feel like doing at the moment. I know its a long shot but I dont suppose anyone has come up with a solution yet?

[van]

Hello everyone.

This post saved me from reformatting. Thank you!

Current problem:
After restoring the system (registry.bak), XP pro doesn't seem to know that it's been updated with service pack 2 etc. As a result, windows update no longer works nor does install shield.

Here's the error message displayed when I try to install Microsoft Reader:

" IntallShield engine (iKernel.exe) could not be launched. The RPC server is unavailable. "

Thanks in advance for your help.

- van

[profdlp]

..." IntallShield engine (iKernel.exe) could not be launched. The RPC server is unavailable. "...
Not quite the same error, but this info (http://support.installshield.com/kb/view.asp?articleid=Q104986) seems to provide a number of possible solutions for the general problem. :)

[van]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, I had tried these steps before posting. I'm still searching for something that works. If you should see something else, please post it here.

[Thrax]

Go to start -> run -> type MSCONFIG

Go to the services tab. Hit DISABLE ALL+apply. Reboot.
When back into windows, repeat the same thing except this time hit ENABLE ALL+apply, then reboot.

[van]

Thanks. The problem persists. Here's the error message I get when running Windows update:

Failed Updates
For help installing an update successfully, see the solution under each problem description.

[profdlp]

You could try running the System File Checker and see if that makes a difference:

Open a Command Prompt, type in sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

Make sure your Windows CD is in the drive when you begin.

[van]

Thanks again. sfc /scannnow was the first diagnostic I ran upon accessing the desktop. The problem persists. I'm still researching this too, so if I should find a solution first I will post the fix here. Any other recommendations?

[Goldsun1715]

I'm having the same problem, but I have an OEM version of Windows Home Edition. When I enter "cd \" Recovery Console, I get a "There is no Floppy Disk or CD in the Drive message" The only way I could get into the Recovery Console was by using a back up of an old Windows XP Pro disk. Is there anyway I can get into cd \? Also, it doesn't ask me which WINDOWs directory it wants at start up, it also doesn't ask me what Admin password either. So when I start up, its not "C:\WINDOWS\" Its "C:\" I also cannot access "md tmp" it gives me the message "Access is denied"

[clairemc]

Hello
wonder if you could help having same problem?
but i dont have windows xp disc? as it was pre installed?

any ideas how i could repair it?


claire

[atosi]

My friend has a Gateway and he's getting the same error message. I've tried booting the system with the 2000 and XP startup discks to no avail. Each time we try it defaults back to the \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMced error message that prompts us to attempt to repair using the 2000 set up from floppy or CD-ROM. A boot disk I made gets me a non-system disk message. Any suggestions on how to get him back up and running again?

[darkvelvet]

Hi, I am new to this so please be forgiving if I'm not doing this correctly!

I am suffering from the problem stated at the beginning of this thread, the system32\system missing etc. screen when I switch my laptop on. Now, there is a lot of help available on this site, which I am very grateful for, but I just wanted to check if this help applies to laptops as well...I probably sound very stupid asking that but I'm not very confident with computer problems, or any of the abbreviations you guys use, so please be patient with me!

I have read the article published on this website by Thrax, so would you recommend just getting stuck in with the steps on that? Although, I'm not sure that putting the CD and praying it will load works...as you keep mentioning 'booting from the disc', so does that mean a command has to be typed in? Sorry if I'm the 100th person to request help on this, but after reading the first page of this article I was supremely confused! I can't actually do anything for 2 days as the disc is at University, but I'd like some idea of what to do. Thankyou for reading this far, I look forward to any help offered!!

[rowanart]

I've got the same system config problem and none of the fixes in this thread have helped. I'm pretty sure mine is due to an improper shutdown, not hardware troubles. My XP Home CD won't boot up, and the floppies I made get stuck on disk 2 (error code 7). I just can't get past that point to try other suggestions.

How about this unglamorous solution: I install a new HD, load it with XP. and use it to access data on the old one? Alternatively, can I just remove my old HD and use a different computer to get the data fro it? I'm pretty sure from where this thread has taken me that this can work, but am I going to need to find a different 20-page thread to make it work? (<-- exasperation showing) At this point I couldn't care less what happens to the old HD as long as I can get the data. (Many thanks to everyone who's tried to help so far.)

I have a Dell Dimension desktop, 100+ gig HD, using XP Home

[profdlp]

...How about this unglamorous solution: I install a new HD, load it with XP. and use it to access data on the old one? Alternatively, can I just remove my old HD and use a different computer to get the data from it?...
Either of those methods stand an excellent chance of working.

Let us know how it goes. :)

[rowanart]

My original error message was "Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

I was finally able to use get re-downloaded XP floppies to work and I've been able to follow the instructions from the kellys-korner file up to this point:

Which Windows installation would you like to log onto (To cancel, press ENTER)? 1

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config>dir system
The volume in drive C has no label
The volume Serial Number is 7c7a-ff51

Directory of C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\system

01/16/07 09:33p -a------ 8388608 SYSTEM
1 file(s) 8388608 bytes
7053619200 bytes free

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config>

Now what? The instructions mention skipping to Step 3 under certain circumstances (am I at that point?), but I'm not sure which step is step 3 anyway. Is this where I "Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER"?

As if I didn't sound dense enough already, if indeed it IS time to type in the above, at which specific prompt do I type it in? While not a computer illiterate, my formative years were spent with a Mac and so I never became familiar with the nuances of <shudder> MS DOS. Thanks again.

Rowan

[profdlp]

Just so I'm sure where things stand, did you get this far?

Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press ENTER.

What happened when you typed ren system system.bak and then hit {ENTER}?

[rowanart]

Assuming from your response that "ren system system.bak" is the appropriate entry to make at the point I described above, I entered it and here are the results:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config>ren system system.bak

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config>copy c:\windows\repair\system
The system cannot find the file specified.

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config>

Rowan

[rowanart]

I couldn't copy "system" for a very good reason; I find that no version survives in that directory. The other files such as sam and security copied fine but of course that doesn't help a lot. I'm guessing I can import the "system" file from another computer, or from some online source, but how? (I'd have to use a thumb drive in a USB (1) port to do it.) Thanks again -- I'm still trying to add to this thread's success rate.

[profdlp]

At this point, a repair Install would probably be the simplest. You shouldn't lose any data and your programs ought to work afterwards just like they did before.

[twist2piper]

Hello Everyone,

Wanted to start off by saying I've exstensively researched this problem I'm having. Our 2004 XP Dell laptop was working fine one night, then the next morning I got the following message:

windows could not start because the following file i mising or corrupt:
\windows\ytem32\config\system

you can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the orginal setup CD-rom.
Selet "r" a the first sreen to start repair

I understand the problem is usually easily fixed, but I've tried every method out there and nothing that usually fixes the problem has worked.

- I used the XP boot disc and pushed "R" to launch the restore function from Windows and it freezes after I select "1" so I cannot get to the command prompt to delete and copy the register files

- Tried launching in safe mode, froze

- Tried launching from last functioning restore point, froze

- Tried re-installing XP as a new install just to save the machine and it freezes while searching for previous versions

- Tried everything, it seems. Is all hope lost??

ANY help would be greatly appreciated, we're more concerned about saving the machine than data on it...don't want to have to buy a new laptop and would settle for starting XP over from scratch.

TIA
:rolleyes:

[Pterocarpous]

Hello Twist2piper. Welcome to Short Media!

Have you tested any of your system hardware yet? If not, the 1st things to rule out are your HDD (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/h/hard_disk_drive.html) and your memory.

Please, go HERE (http://www.memtest.org/) and download MEMTEST86.

Go HERE (http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT) as well and download DFT (Hitachi's Drive Fitness Test).

You will need to create bootable CDs using the ISO image files (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/ISO_image.html) you downloaded.

If you don't have an utility to create the bootable CDs, you can go HERE (http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html) and download BURNCDCC - a free ISO utility.

Run the Hitachi DFT Advanced test on your HDD then run MEMTEST86 - preferably overnight or until it produces errors.

If you need help at all or have any questions, just let us know here.

[twist2piper]

Wow!

Thanks!

Going to try all this when I get home with my functioning CPU from work. Just seems like all normal avenues to fix this problem dont apply to me. The part that is perplexing is how my machine freezes when I push "1" to get to the c:\windows prompt...

[Pterocarpous]

Wow!...Thanks!...Going to try all this when I get home with my functioning CPU from work. Just seems like all normal avenues to fix this problem dont apply to me. The part that is perplexing is how my machine freezes when I push "1" to get to the c:\windows prompt...
You're certainly welcome, twist'. :smiles:

Now, to help us in helping you, we need you to:

Be very detailed in your posts - the more details and specifics, the better. (No one will ever complain around here about too long a post.)

For instance, what do you mean by this statement: "...The part that is perplexing is how my machine freezes when I push "1" to get to the c:\windows prompt..."
It's best to be very clear about what exactly you were doing or what was going on w/ the computer when you observed a particular error message.
Answer all questions that we ask. This is very important as we often base what we will next advise you to do on how you answer our questions.
Tell us everything that you do (step-by-step) & everything that you observe (what you see, hear & even smell).
Finally, by all means, if you don't understand something, just let us know.

Now, lessee what's goin' on w/ your sick computer... :smiles:

[twist2piper]

:D

DFT worked!

A thousand thank you's. Our daughters baby pictures are saved!

[Pterocarpous]

:D

DFT worked!

A thousand thank you's. Our daughters baby pictures are saved!

:celebrate Congratulations, twist'! Glad it worked. Now, you need to start backing up your data regularly and frequently. Your computer's hard disk drive is not a safe place to store your data. It needs to be backed up to some other media (DVDs, an external hard disk drive, across your network, etc.) If you'd like to discuss backing up just let us know. We'll be more than happy to advise you on the subject.

Enjoy! Glad you got those baby pictures back! :smiles:

[Moosh]

Hello

I've been getting the same error as everyone else (Missing/corrupt "C:\windows\system32\config\system") I've got the botable disk for XP Pro. I've tried:

- Rebooting (gives me the error)
- Recovery console (gives me an error about a stop or something)
- Reinstalling XP (gives me the same stop error)

and now I'm out of ideas...Any help is greatly appreciated :D

[profdlp]

...
- Rebooting (gives me the error)
- Recovery console (gives me an error about a stop or something)
- Reinstalling XP (gives me the same stop error)...
Write the exact error down and post it here. :)

[Moosh]

Write the exact error down and post it here. :)

Okay when i reboot it says:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\windows\system32\config\system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-ROM, select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"

Then when I boot with the CD and go to recovery console/reinstall windows it stops me and says:

"A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prvent damage to your computer.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly instaled. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, diable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or diable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced startup options, and then select safe mode.

Techinical Information:

*** stop: 0x00000050 (0xC870F000, 0x00000001, 0x809904F2, 0x00000000)"

[profdlp]

...stop: 0x00000050 (0xC870F000, 0x00000001, 0x809904F2, 0x00000000)"

According to Microsoft: (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329293)
This problem may occur if there is a conflict between Windows XP SP1 and the display adapter drivers that are currently installed.
See if the advice in the link above helps.

If not, do you have a different Video Card you could put in there for troubleshooting purposes? Even a crummy old one (like a PCI card) might help get you to where you can get far enough into Windows to be able to work with the driver problem.

Also, it might pay to run Memtest-86 (http://www.short-media.com/download.php?dc=58) and make sure your RAM is sound. :)

[Moosh]

Wait so the problem could be related to a hardware problem? The thing is that this problem occured when I was playing a game and it restarted my computer. It was running okay before...

[profdlp]

The PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA error generally means one of two things:

1) Either a driver is trying to use a part of memory reserved for something else,

or

2) You have faulty RAM.

Running Memtest will answer #2 one way or the other. If your memory is fine then we have to find out what program is trying to use an area of memory which it shouldn't. The Microsoft page I linked you to indicates that it is your Video driver. :)