How to DOD Wipe when getting \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM error

CNY2CLTCNY2CLT Charlotte, NC
edited January 2009 in Science & Tech
For the second time in a year I have gotten the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM error. The first time I paid too much money to have the Geek Squad come to my house to back up my hard drive. But, in retrospect saving all the information was worth it. Too make matters worse my DVD drive does not work so I am unable to attempt a system restore. All I want to do now is a DOD wipe on my hard drive but cannot figure out how to do it. I can access the F2 (setup) and F12 (boot menu) but could not find a way to Wipe the hard drive.
Here is some additional history for when my problems started in full swing. Sunday I woke up to my McAfee Security Suite having a BIG RED X over the system tray icon. I attempted to fix the problems but McAfee told me it could not be fixed. At this point I backed up all my files on an external USB drive with the intention of completing a DOD wipe and calling it a day.
Please help this new guy get to a point where I can DOD Wipe my hard drive. Thank you. EMG

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Welcome to icrontic

    www.killdisk.com

    Try that :)
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Killdisk, Darik's Boot and Nuke, and I think the Ultimate Boot CD should all help you. DBAN has a 7-level DoD wipe that's a lot of fun. :D
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Before we proceed anywhere, your CD drive must be working.

    As for your system going kaput, I strongly suspect McAfee is to blame. It is so buggy that McAfee had to make an uninstaller just to brute force the thing out of your system in the event that it breaks. It's no hyperbole when I say it's almost a virus itself.

    Oh, if I had a dime for every system borked by McAfee or Norton. Avast for life.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Thrax wrote:
    Before we proceed anywhere, your CD drive must be working.

    Not necessarily. LiveUSB!
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    And what does he do with his system afterwards?
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    You can install OSes via LiveUSB as well. Yes, a working optical drive will be easier for you, just pointing out it's not required.

    (I've installed Vista and 7 Beta via flash drive, so I'm not pulling it out of thin air.)
  • CNY2CLTCNY2CLT Charlotte, NC
    edited January 2009
    Thank you for your replies. Prior to getting the error message I received my cd rom would work or at least I know it would play compact music disks. Also I know the usb ports worked. I will need some step by step instructions on how to proceed. Thanks again from the Newbie....
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Did your ROM stop working in Windows, or have you verified it's completely broken with a bootable CD?
  • CNY2CLTCNY2CLT Charlotte, NC
    edited January 2009
    I just attempted a bootable CD and kaput................. I get select r to start repair and the screen reverts back to the same:
    "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CONFIG\SYSTEM<O:p></O:p>
    <O:p></O:p>
    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."<O:p></O:p>
    <O:p></O:p>
    Part of me wants to take the hard drive out back and put two in it center mass. But then I would not be upping my computer IQ, and I vow to not let the machine get the better of me.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Ah, looks like your CD-ROM is indeed okay.

    Do you know how to test your memory or hard drive for physical integrity?

    Hard Drive Testing
    Memory Testing

    And here's a bonus about why Blue Screens suck.
  • RichDRichD Essex, UK
    edited January 2009
    Is this custom build or bought PC? If it is bought it must be easier to use whatever restore media came with the PC?

    If you are only trying to fix the error then you don't need to do a complete shred of the HD.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited January 2009
    Since he has a full system image a wipe might be in order.
    Test the memory.
    Test the HDD.
    Do the wipe.
    Restore your image.
    Immediately un-install McAfee.
    Get Avast (or one of the other good ones out there) and do a good scan.
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