XP: Corrupt system file... NO BOOT! HELP!

**TM12** · January 2nd, 2004, 10:25 AM

rheteric,

I stopped by work today and picked up the KB articles we used to fix the registry problem. You might find these links useful if your problem hasn't been fixed.

- How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP from Starting - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

- How To Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307654

- How to Gain Access to the System Volume Information Folder (includes the link for the Boot-up floppies) - http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;309531

**Dj-Icer** · January 2nd, 2004, 10:35 AM

This probably help u guys if you have occur some of these problems: http://www.easydesksoftware.com/syshelp.htm

Also this for clear details: http://sft-cyber.com/Corr%20Reg.htm

I have create a thread about this long ago but I can't remember where it was now

**rheteric** · January 2nd, 2004, 02:04 PM

Gentlemen....
I am pleased to announce that the problem is resolved. Thanks to TM12 for directing me to the appropriate Windows XP KB page!!! You and the people of TechIMO made my life a whole lot easier by your knowledgeable support and tenacity in this issue's resolution. Thanks!!!

-rheteric

BTW: TM12, It was the link you posted 12-30-2003 04:03 PM that held the answer. Thanks for going out of your way for those other articles; I'm sure they will be appreciated, too.

**rpertusio** · January 2nd, 2004, 03:11 PM

Happy to hear it is resolved!

Thanks to TM12 and Dj-Icer for finding links that I wasn't aware existed

- rp

**TM12** · January 2nd, 2004, 03:34 PM

Glad to hear it, glad to be of assistance, and glad that Microsoft has made the process easier. I got a lot from this thread, too!

Happy computing all!

**Pantherz** · August 6th, 2004, 06:34 PM

TM12, i was reading the forum, and i couldnt find the link that rheteric referd to when he said that it fixed his problem, do u think u can repost, it, or help me out. my issue, is that i need to get into windows, to back up my files before i format, but i get this c:\windows... is currupt or missing error

Pls help if poosible

**rkyranc** · August 6th, 2004, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by rheteric

So I go and power up my system and I get this heart-stopping message:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

The last item SYSTEM is one of your registry files. Next to SOFTWARE it is the largest registry file. Do you have a registry backup?

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 03:39 AM

Umm, nope i have nothing backed up. im an idiot i know. surly not a mistake that will be repeated, my issue of course is basically finding a way to boot into windows, just to back up *deleted* i need on my hdd. it would be nice, if it were possible not to format..
any help would help

Eli

Profanity is not permitted in the forums - Fingers / TechIMO Moderator TechIMO FAQ

**rpertusio** · August 7th, 2004, 10:28 AM

It appears Microsoft has taken down the article that TM12 posted, so beware, Microsoft might have done it because there is a problem with the article. That said, procede at your own risk!
Credit goes to profman on the sillydog.com forums

Microsoft KB823614:

Originally Posted by profman

Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because the C:\windows\system32\config\system File is Missing or Corrupt

SYMPTOMS
When you try to start Microsoft Windows XP, you may receive the following error message:
Windows could not start because the C:\windows\system32\config\system file is missing or corrupt. Additionally, Windows may not start.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior, start the Windows XP Recovery Console, and then restore the C:\Windows\System32\Config\System file from the C:\Windows\Repair\System file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Use the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD to restart your computer.
2. When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press R to select the To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R option.
3. Type the number of the Windows installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console, and then press ENTER.
4. Type the administrator password when you are prompted to do so, and then press ENTER.

Note If no administrator password exists, just press ENTER.
5. At the command prompt, type the following commands (press ENTER after each command):

CD C:\Windows\System32\Config
REN system system.old
COPY C:\Windows\Repair\system

6. Remove the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD.
7. To exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit, and then press ENTER.

During startup, Windows detects your computer hardware and then starts.

The information in this article applies to:

* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
* Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Last Reviewed: 11/12/2003 (1.0)
Keywords: kbprb KB823614 kbAudEndUser

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 01:38 PM

hey, yah ive seen that before, but it dosnt help. when i type it it says " the parameter is invalid, try th /? for help. Thats the error i always get, and iv tried it so many times. Also if i try to re-install windows over the currunt version, it wont let. it dosnt even recognize that windows is installed on the current hdd. tells me i have to format it to continue.
any ideas?

**rpertusio** · August 7th, 2004, 01:47 PM

Read it again, I think the original KB article from Microsoft was incorrectly spaced. The 3 commands in step 5 should have been seperated, so I edited my post to fix the spacing. The 3 commands should be entered one at a time:

CD C:\Windows\System32\Config
REN system system.old
COPY C:\Windows\Repair\system

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 02:12 PM

yah, after i type the first line
cd c:\windows\system32\config
and press enter i get

"the path or file specified is not valid"

**rpertusio** · August 7th, 2004, 02:14 PM

Try C:\WINNT\system32\config

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 02:15 PM

sorry, then when i try
ren system system.old
i get.

"the rename failed"

then Copy c:\windows\Repair\system
i get

"access is denied"

it hangs after every command

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 02:17 PM

same issue. with the Winnt

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 03:57 PM

Any new ideas?

**Pantherz** · August 7th, 2004, 04:46 PM

K, new devlepment, i was playn with some stuff, and i got that to work, and everything looked fine, windows restarted, and logo came up, then it froze black and now i get a new message

"windows could not start because the following file is missing
<windows root>\system32\hal.dll."