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
    2016-01-21T04:59:52+00:00

    This happened to my old Toshiba Netbook with no optical drive. I have an external dvd and the XP cd, but can't get it to boot off the dvd. I changed the bios settings to dvd thru usb-boot first. No joy. Can I put something on a usb drive?

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-21T05:12:54+00:00

    Read upwards a few replies to November 3 where A.User (AKA Jose Ibarra) describes how to make a Hiren's Boot CD on a USB drive using Rufus.

    Once booted on Hiren's you can click Start, Run, cmd.exe to open a Command Prompt window and run the chkdsk with error correct (chkdsk  /r) from there.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-21T22:23:20+00:00

    Thank you all. Got the machine to boot on Hirens usb drive. However, chkdsk /r won't run in the cmd box. Says

    C:&gt;chkdsk /r

    The type of the file system is NTFS.

    Cannot lock current drive.

    Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Chkdsk may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

    The first time I saw this I said Y and I think it asked me again for another volume which I said Y to. However, it went back to the original error when I said Y. Has anyone run into this? I didn't see it mentioned in the answers. Please excuse me if I missed it. I said no and that doesn't make any difference either.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-22T09:50:18+00:00

    Adjust the chkdsk command to focus only on the drive where windows is installed (usually C) so this:

    chkdsk  c:  /r

    Respond in the affirmative to those other questions and sit back and let chkdsk run until it is done.

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