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

2012-09-18T02:43:50+00:00

sorry, Daavee, I thought he was asking how to do a repair... :)
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Anonymous

2012-09-18T03:37:05+00:00

sorry, Daavee, I thought he was asking how to do a repair... :)

No problemo. It's already p. 5 and I think I'm getting confused, too! If I understand, he's had a number of problems, but the original one still needs to be solved. A Repair Install might work, but they can be EXTREMELY tricky and risky!
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Anonymous

2012-09-18T13:33:33+00:00

I'll try that then thanks
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Anonymous

Not so fast with the repair install.

1. Insert the Windows XP cd into the top cd drive2. Turn the computer off3. Setup the computer to boot from cd: either by pressing F2, F9 or Delete to go in BIOS or by pressing F12 on Dell computers to launch the Boot Device Menu4. As soon as you get the message Press any key to boot from the cd hit enter.5. Wait ~3 minutes for the Windows Setup to initialize6. At the Welcome to Setup screen press R to repair windows using recovery console.7. Wait a couple of minutes while setup examines the hard drive.8. You will be prompted to choose a Windows installation. Press 1 on the top of the keyboard and then9. You will be prompted to enter the Administrator password. Press Enter if no password was set.10. Perform a disk check:chkdsk /p > Press Enter and allow the scan to complete. Once complete typefixboot > Press Enter. Confirm at the prompts.11. Type exit to restart the computer.12. As soon as the computer starts hit F8 every second to bring up the Advanced Options Menu.13. Choose the Last Known Good Configuration.14. If these steps didn't resolve the issue go back in Recovery Console.

If the computer still will not boot then proceed below.

B. Perform the System Restore

Inside the Recovery Console type the following commands to change the directory to the system restore directory:

cd \cd system~1

If you get an Access Denied error: click here

If you don't get an Access Denied error :

cd _resto~1

If there is no _resto~1 folder or if there are no restore points inside it:click here

If the _resto~1 folder exists, inside it there are several folders named RP1, RP2. These are restore points. RP1 is the oldest restore point. You can use

dir

to view what RP folders are available. If no restore points are available click here. Otherwise choose the most convenient RP folder. Supposing we have RP3 available let's type in:

cd rp3

Change the directory to snapshot:

cd snapshot

Restore the main registry branches. If you are being asked if you want to overwrite type in y to agree.

copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\systemcopy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\softwareThe following commands are most of the time optional however the process might not work if they are not executedcopy _registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\securitycopy _registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\samcopy _registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Type exit to reboot the system. Start the computer normally

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