Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM - fixing this without the OAM disk?

Anonymous
2012-08-21T14:04:35+00:00

There is microsoft windows XP Professional version 2002  Service pack 3 installed on the computer

I tried to turn on the computer  but this came up.

I don't have the original disk to install and fix the problem.

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2012-09-18T00:40:52+00:00

I would hold off on a the Repair Install that Elizabeth23 suggested for now.

I think it is time for you to create a bootable Hiren's CD and boot into it Mini XP Mode and choose the Registry repair Wizard.

You already ran chkdsk /r, which is the first thing you should do anyway. Since it didn't work, you may very well need to "go back in time," as it were. Wunders published great instructions for this. Look at his reply in this thread:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-system/error-missing-or-corrupt/a1cf7ecf-e6c8-4546-ab88-f0e5abde7a13?msgId=52ff9278-5721-4b37-8887-700e274493b8

Let us know how you fare.

For simplicity's sake, here are those instructions:

On another machine, create a "Hirens Boot CD":  You must burn this with the "Burn Image" feature of a CD Burning program.

  Hirens Download:  < http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/ >

[don't get fooled. The actual download link is in light green at bottom next to a disk icon with arrow]

  Burning Instructions:  <http://www.hirensbootcd.org/burning/>

Once you create the disk, boot your laptop from this disk.  At the first screen, select "Mini Windows XP" and let it continue to boot.  After it boots, go to the "HBCD Menu" and select:

   Programs -> Registry -> Registry Restore Wizard

Follow the prompts in the registry restore wizard, selecting the last restore point before your problem to restore from.  When done, shut down your computer, remove the CD, and reboot.  If all goes well, you will be back in Windows.

To make sure everything is copacetic, you should perform a "System Restore" using the same restore point you picked using the Restore Wizard:

   "How to restore Windows XP to a previous State"

    < http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084 >

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-09-04T21:03:18+00:00

    Ok, I'll go through those steps again tomorrow, thanks for the info.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-04T16:47:42+00:00

    That's looking good...

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-04T15:31:39+00:00

    Found it the serial number is.

    YK1T032392

    For future reference, you have an Esprimo P5710:

    http://support.ts.fujitsu.com/Manuals/ShowManuals.asp?LNG=COM&LNID=&intlevel2=&intFehlercode=0&NavIDs=

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-04T15:25:11+00:00

    It says Which Windows installation would you like to log onto

    (to cancel, press ENTER)?

    I input 1 and this comes up

    C:\WINDOWS>

    Okay, so the keyboard IS working after all!

    All you need to do is follow ElderL's instructions from the first page of this thread!

    Here they are again:

    When you boot on the CD, follow the prompts:

    Press any key to boot from CD...

    The Windows Setup... will proceed.

    Press 'R' to enter the Recovery Console.

    Select the installation you want to access (usually  1: C:\WINDOWS)

    You may be asked to enter the Administrator password (usually empty).

    You should be in the C:\WINDOWS folder.  This is the same as the 

    C:\WINDOWS folder you see in explorer.

    The Recovery Console allows basic file commands like: copy, rename, replace, delete, cd, chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc.

    For a list of Recovery Console commands, enter help at the prompt or read about the XP Recovery Console here:

    http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/recovery_console_cmds.mspx?mfr=true

    A good idea before starting things is to first verify the integrity of your file system using the chkdsk command.

    From the command prompt window run the chkdsk command on the drive where Windows is installed to try to repair any problems on the afflicted drive.

    Running chkdsk is fine even if it doesn't find any problems.  It will not hurt anything to run it.

    Assuming your boot drive is C, run the following command:

    chkdsk C: /r

    Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find.  

    It may take a long time for chkdsk to complete or it may appear to be 'stuck'.  Be patient.  If the HDD light is still flashing, chkdsk is doing something.  Keep an eye on the percentage amount to be sure it is still making progress.  It may even appear to go backwards sometimes.

    You should run chkdsk /r again until it finds no errors to correct.

    Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the computer.

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