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
    2016-01-22T16:07:11+00:00

    Thank you ElderN. I was changing to the c: drive before I entered the chkdsk /r command. Stupid me. When I entered the command chkdsk C: /r from the original directory that comes up when you bring up Hirens cmd prompt window(x:\I386\System32>)--Voila! It's running. Wearing my lucky hat hoping this will work. I will post again when this very slow process finishes. Thank you so much for your help.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-22T18:43:06+00:00

    Well, no joy after going through twice. Both times-no errors. Tried to boot off of HDD after and still have the same message. Any other ideas? Thanks for any help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-22T21:18:41+00:00

    Boo!  Hiss!

    Sometimes it takes a couple passes with chkdsk though... and you're sure you're doing the HDD volume where Windows is installed, right?

    Did you have a power failure/interruption prior to this incident?

    If the system used to work properly what do you think happened since the lst time it did work properly?

    It could be that the registry really is corrupted somehow and MS suggests KB307545 but that is too complicated but you can read (just read) about it to get the idea of the plan...

    KB307545

    Usually the chkdsk with error correction fixes it though.

    Since you have Hiren's let use that instead.

    From the Hiren's HBCD Menu, choose Programs, Registry, Registry Restore Wizard and it will show you all your current System Restore Points (each RP has a copy of the registry for that RP). and go back to a day when you think your system was working okay.

    Since the listed RPs are sorted by NUMBER and not by date, be careful to look at the dates of the RPs offered and not necessarily the number of the RP - so don't accidentally chose RP9 when you really need to choose RP90 - so be sure to pay attention to the dates.

    Unless you are absolutely 100% sure what you are doing, never choose "Original Installation Settings".

    Note that the Registry Restore Wizard is not equal to an XP System Restore.  Only the XP registry is restored.

    You may start with the most recent Restore Point prior to the incident and if that doesn't work, go back to the next most recent one, etc. and keep your fingers crossed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-22T23:23:18+00:00

    Thanks ElderN. I will give this a shot and let you know how it turns out. I did run chkdsk c: /r three times-all with no errors. This at least gives me another shot and I appreciate the opportunity. This is a friend's notebook. She had it in a closet-not used for at least 3 years. Of course, she didn't create the restore disks when she got the computer. It's a Toshiba NB205 without a DVD or CD. I do have an external LG DVD-RW optical drive, but haven't been able to get the computer to recognize it-hence the USB Hirens.

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