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

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

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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.

Hello,

I think that you'll need to make a bootable DOS application CD to fix this issue which will be a long procedure if you do not have your Windows CD but, I do not know any at the moment.

I'd recommend you to get a Windows CD and start the recovery console (Pressing R at the first screen when the CD loads) and then insert the following command: chkdsk /f /x

Thanks,

I hope this solves the problem.

Advice from JoseIbarra:

How to Create a Bootable XP Recovery Console CD

Guide Overview

The purpose of this guide is to teach you how to create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.

The Recovery Console may already be installed on your system as a boot option and is also available

when booting from a genuine XP installation CD. If you do not have those options, it is easy to create

a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.

Recovery Console is not available from the set of System or Recovery CDs that may

have been included with your system when it came from the store or manufacturer.

This bootable CD is compatible with all versions of XP (Home, Pro, MCE). It may not be

suitable for hardware configurations that have RAID configurations.

You do not need any Microsoft Windows XP media to create the Bootable Recovery Console CD.

The Recovery Console can be used to troubleshoot and perhaps repair systems that will not boot

into Windows XP. The Recovery Console includes commands to verify the integrity of your

file system, repair or replace possibly corrupted or suspicious files and basic file manipulation

commands (copy, rename, delete).

Once your system has been repaired with Recovery Console and Windows boots normally, the original

issue that caused the system not to boot in the first place can be addressed.

Tools Needed

A working system that has hardware and software capable of burning a bootable CD

A copy of the XP Recovery Console ISO file

Instructions

• Step1

The XP Recovery Console ISO file could be found in several places on the Internet. For this

example we will use a file called:

xp_rec_con.iso

The XP Recovery File ISO file be downloaded from here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ueyyzfymmig

• Step2

If you do not already have a program installed on your computer that will burn CDs,

there are many free software packages on the Internet. Be sure the program can create

bootable CDs from ISO files and not just burn/copy files to a CD.

Here is a free and easy to use program to create a bootable CD from an existing ISO file:

http://www.imgburn.com/

How to write an image file to a disc with ImgBurn:

http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61

• Step3

It would be a good idea to test your bootable CD on the computer that is working.

You may need to adjust the computer BIOS settings to use the CD ROM drive

as the first boot device instead of the hard disk. These adjustments are

made in the system BIOS before Windows tries to load.

If your system is not set to boot from the CD as the first option, check your

hardware manufacturers instructions to configure your system BIOS so the CD drive

is the first option.

• Step 4

When the system detects the bootable 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)

Enter the Administrator password if prompted (usually empty).

The prompt should show that you are in the C:\WINDOWS folder.

This is the same as the C:\WINDOWS folder you see in when using explorer.

• Step 5

Follow whatever instructions or guidance you receive to help restore your system to

working order.

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

You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the CD will

not be present.

• Step 6

There is more information from Microsoft to read about using the XP Recovery Console.

How to start Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

Recovery Console commands you might be using:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

That stuff of mine from Bleeping is pretty old and they actually removed it from their tutorial section due to a potential copyright issue with xp_rec_con.iso...

Anywho, Step 5...

*Follow whatever instructions or guidance you receive to help restore your system to working order.*That tutorial was just to makea Recovery Console CD - not to fix this issues which would require running a chkdsk /r...

Isn't too helpful , but here in the MS Answers forums I have some other instructions for this affliction when no XP CD is available:

You need to run chkdsk from the XP Recovery Console.

If you have no genuine bootable XP media from which you can boot into the Recovery Console, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD (no XP media required)

Here is how to do it:

If you have no bootable XP media (or are not sure what you have) create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure (no XP media required).

This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come with a store bought system.  

You can make a bootable Recovery Console CD by downloading an ISO file and burning it to a CD.

The bootable ISO image file you need to download is called:

xp_rec_con.iso 

Download the ISO file from here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ueyyzfymmig

Use a new CD and this free and easy program to burn your ISO file and create your bootable CD:

http://www.imgburn.com/

When installing ImgBurn, DO NOT install the Ask toolbar.

Here are some instructions for ImgBurn:

http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61

It would be a good idea to test your bootable CD on a computer that is working.

You may need to adjust the computer BIOS settings to use the CD ROM drive as the first boot device instead of the hard disk.  These adjustments are made before Windows tries to load.  If you miss it, you will have to reboot the system 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.

You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the CD will not be present.

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