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
    2012-09-19T13:12:21+00:00

    Hi, Tech-Geek, if you meant to include links in the "click here" ,they did not come through. Just letting you know. :) Liz.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-19T15:14:16+00:00

    Hi, Tech-Geek!

    OP already successfully ran chkdsk /r using Recovery Console.

    I see that you are referring to the suggestion from KB307545 -- Jose's favorite. :-)

    Have you ever used Hiren's? It contains the Registry Repair Wizrad (same as Bart PE and UBCD4Win), which accomplishes the same thing but it's much faster! (And there's is a much smaller chance of a mis-typing.)

    @techu35:

    If you wish, Tech-Geek's method is worth pursuing as well. Just let us know how you're doing.

    As I pointed out before and as Tech-Geek indicated, stay away from a Repair Install (at least for now). A Repair Install is best done if you can still boot into Windows and roll back IE8 (or IE7) to IE6 first. It's tricky to do. And often, after attempting a Repair Install that winds up not working, the only thing left to do is the "nuke-and-pave" Clean Install.

    I am also concerned that a botched Repair Install will interfere with something like a System Restore (or a KB307545 registry "repair" solution).

    So far you are on track. The most important things to do in your situation are:

    1. chkdsk /r (which you have done)
    2. repairing the regsitry, using the method Tech-Geek or I gave you (which you will do shortly, I hope)
    3. repairing your boot.ini file (if necessary)

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-19T18:13:32+00:00

    Hi Dave;

    I did see where the /r parameter was previously used. The difference this time is I included fixboot immediately after. Additionally, I have seen numerous times where running check disk only once doesn't produce positive results but, run several times can do the trick. In fact, I am of the opinion we, myself included, are all too often to move on to another procedure after running check disk has failed to resolve the issue. I believe we should be suggesting it be run several times before moving on. JMO

    Also, my second set of instructions are significantly different from the kb article. My instructions are to perform a system restore. They do include replacing some registry keys however as insurance only. Jose is correct that the infamous kb article alone rarely, if ever, works. However, I have seen a system restore from recovery console work many times.

    @ Liz.. Thannks!! :-)

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-19T19:22:49+00:00

    Good points, Tech-Geek.

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