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

Anonymous

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.

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Anonymous

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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87 additional answers

Anonymous

2012-09-03T14:45:05+00:00

Hey, sorry just getting back now.

Yeh I followed your'e advice Elizabeth23,

burned the boot disk inserted it and the recovery menu came up however when I came to the point where I had to select the installation process I couldn't select it for some reason, It just gave me the option to type one digit so I typed 1, which I thought selected 1:C:/WINDOWS but nothing happened. I didn't get access to the

C:/WINDOWS folder.

Where did I go wrong?

Thanks.

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.
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Anonymous

2012-08-21T21:06:55+00:00

Ok, will check back tomorrow.
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Anonymous

2012-08-21T20:44:56+00:00

Thanks for all you're informative replies,

I will try these methods out at work tomorrow and see which one works.
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Anonymous

2012-08-21T16:19:57+00:00

Okay, I will save this one to my notes, thanks!
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