Missing or Corrupt Error 1

[muthabored]

Booting into XP Pro, I'm takent to the "We apologize for the inconvienence but Windows did not start properly" screen (I can choose Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Last Known Good Config, etc.). No matter what I choose, I get: Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \Windows\System32\Config\System

It says that I 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 (this takes me into the Recovery Console). I'm not sure what to do after that.

 

[bcastner]

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

 

[muthabored]

Thank you, bcastner.

After typing in copy C:\windows\repair\system C:\windows\system32\config\system, I get: The system cannot find the file specified.

I've tried typing it in at least 4 times (to make sure my typing was the issue). Perhaps the line delete C:\windows\system32\config\system really wiped it out?

 

[bcastner]

I cannot explain why you do not have C:\Windows\Repair entries, (unless your WINDOWS folder is called something else, such as WINNT).

Take this more direct approach under Recovery Console:

At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing Enter after you type each line:

All commands that are to be typed in command prompt are in BOLD color for clarity of the content, and pressing Enter is required for executing each command at the Recovery Console.

cd \ - There should be blank space between cd and \ or else the command will not work.
cd system~1\_resto~1
dir

• When you press enter, the screen lists all the restore points folders like RP1, RP2, RP3, etc. Look for the most recent date to determine the restore point from which to copy. It is common for the restore points to require more than one page to display. To advance though the restore points, press Enter. It is a good rule of thumb to choose the restore point folder which is dated the day prior to the occurence of the error reported.

cd rp# (the last restore point no.) - Example : cd rp9, if rp10 is the last restore point, use restore point 9 to restore the system to a date prior to the error reported.

cd snapshot

dir

Perform all of the following to reduce the likelyhood of continued error:

copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy _registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy _registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy _registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default (Make sure to type a period in the _.default line)
When prompted, choose A to Copy All files.

 

[muthabored]

Okay...

I've gotten as far as:

cd snapshot

dir

(when I type in dir and hit enter, I get a series of dates, times and registry keys...I'm not sure what to do after this).

I appreciate your help!

 

[bcastner]

Look for the most recent date to determine the restore point from which to copy. It is common for the restore points to require more than one page to display. To advance though the restore points, press Enter. It is a good rule of thumb to choose the restore point folder which is dated the day prior to the occurence of the error reported.

 

[muthabored]

bcastner:

Everything is everything now...it worked!
I appreciate your time!

muthabored

 

[bcastner]

Good job.

Best,
Bill Castner