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
    2012-09-06T01:00:21+00:00

    That's because you forgot to take the CD out of the CD tray!

    That's what I thought of as well. Only the OP states they removed the disc.

    I pressed exit took out the cd

     

    A little strange if the cd was actually removed.

    Yeah, something is not adding up!

    @techu35:

    Are you still getting a screen giving you the option to press R to repair?

    If so, please tell us the EXACT message you see on this screen!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-06T14:02:18+00:00

    I'll get back to you the week after next, I'm on holiday now and I only get a limited amount of time to have a look at the computer. thanks for the info so far though.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-17T11:06:34+00:00

    Hello so I'm back,

    Ran C:WINDOWS> chkdsk C: /r

    this came up

    Volume created 08/16/07 12:23p

    The volume Serial Number is 583d-72fe

    CHKDSK is checking the volume....

    CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...

    CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...

    CHKDSK is performing additional checking or recovery...

    CHKDSK has finished checking the volume.

    20972824 kilobytes total disk space.

    5780452 kilobytes are available.

    4096 bytes in each allocation unit.

    5243206 total allocation units on disk.

    11445113 allocation units available on disk.

    C:\WINDOWS>

    I try to eject the boot disk, it doesn't eject

    so I press

    C\WINDOWS>  EXIT

    It goes to this screen:

    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.

    Now I'm able to eject the disk.

    So I eject the disk

    I press the power button to restart the computer

    And this screen comes up again.

    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.

    I insert the bootable CD, nothing happens.

    So I follow the prompt to 'Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

    the fujitsu logo comes up

    then the message press any key.

    so I press any key

    and this comes up

    Windows XP Home Edition Setup

    Welcom to Setup.

    This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft (R)

    Windows (R) XP to run on your computer.

    .  To set up Windows XP now, press Enter.

    .  To repair a Windows XP installation using

    Recovery Console, Press R.

    .   To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3

    So I Press R

    and the message with this window comes up

    Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console

    The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality

    Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

    1: C:\WINDOW

    Which windows installation would you like to log onto

    (To cancel, press ENTER)?

    and I repeat the cycle from the start.

    what should I do

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-17T14:18:41+00:00

    Press enter to cancel,

    at the Welcome to Setup screen press enter and then at the next screen press R.

    this will be the repair and not the recovery console.

    http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

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