Boot Error - \Windows\System32\Config\System - Corrupt or Missing

[hahn79solo]

Good Afternoon,

This is the error:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system

What I've tried:
I tried running the Repair Console --> Chkdsk /r
Failed at 28%

I tried running a fresh install, hoping it would find the windows OS already installed and ask me to repair it. It found no OS and all drive partitions showed having all space free.

I went back to the Repair Console (which by the way does not ask me for the Admin Credentials, nor does is find the OS and place me at the C:\windows prompt. It then proceeds to fail when trying to enumerate the directory when I type in DIR.

I'm at the point where I feel all is lost. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Ol'Tunzafun]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

[hahn79solo]

Thanks! I found that same KB and that didn't work....I tried to rebuild just the C: partition but even that was screwy! The C: and D: partitions were reversed on the screen. Anyways, not matter what I did, the only thing a system disk wanted to do was to format the C: drive.

Even better, I deleted all the partitions and tried to rebuild the OS and the HD wouldn't even format. Needless to say, the poor gentleman will lose his HD data and another g-disk/degauss is in order.

TTFN