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 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 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 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:
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.
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:
had this happen to me on Sat. evening, took it to the shop on Monday, they said ah yeah we can fix it .. 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.
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
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.
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
Try running Memtest-86 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.
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 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
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.
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 the repair place have all the certifications you can think of and mem testers as well so they should sort things out ..
Mark
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
This is a fresh install. Or does installing it again perform some sort of magic?
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.
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
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:
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?
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 ........
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?
Comments
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**
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!!
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
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.
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.
had this happen to me on Sat. evening, took it to the shop on Monday, they said ah yeah we can fix it ..
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
Checkdisk r only seems to make it worse!
oh well back to the drawing board!
You can try restoring it by following our comrade Thrax's Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands advice.
If everything tests A-OK, a Repair Install might be in order. Let us know how it goes.
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
Mark
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..
I'm not sure what the deal is .... I hope I can get it back soon
Mark
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.
got lucky I guess ... Thank You ... Jesus
Mark
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.
This is a fresh install. Or does installing it again perform some sort of magic?
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.
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
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:
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 ........
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?