missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Question

I have a:   Inspiron 6400 Single CoreIntel® Core™ Solo processor T1300 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Professional   This morning my husband told me we are now getting the following error: Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM   You can attempt to repair...CD... press r for repair. Question 1: I found a Dell system disk, but it say's Windows XP Home Ed. on it.  Can I still use this disk to help repair my computer?   I went online to http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1 and requested a backup Professional disk, just in case.   Question 2: What is the best fix for this problem?  I have thousands of photos on my computer that I don't want to lose.    Suggestions I've seen:   Microsoft:  I've searched Microsoft forums and found the following ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545): Warning Do not use the procedure that is described in this article if your computer has an OEM-installed operating system. The system hive on OEM installations creates passwords and user accounts that did not exist previously. If you use the procedure that is described in this article, you may not be able to log back into the recovery console to restore the original registry hives. Thus, I'm afraid of using that solution because of the warning.   chkdsk /p:  I was able to configure my computer to start from the CD-ROM drive.  (Whew!)  Tried this option, restarted the computer (after I removed the disk) and it didn't work.   Setup Windows XP now:  Tried this one too from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx but 'R' for repair isn't an option on my screen   Recovery Console Tool:  I've seen options that suggest using the Recovery Console and others that say definitely don't use it.  I'm confused and leary of copying and changing file names in case I screw something up.  But, if this is what I should be doing, then I'll do it.  I actually tried the 'r' for repair thing and then it asked me which system I wanted to repair (only one was listed).  I entered '1' for the system, but nothing happened and I was afraid to hit 'enter' because it said that would cancel my repair.  Am I doing it wrong or is it because I'm using the XP Home disk when I should be using the XP Professional disk?  Some instructions say to simply change the name of my \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM file.  I'm pretty stupid when it comes to DOS and I don't know how to do that.   Thanks for any help you can give. Jill

iawalkes · Answer

I'm not sure about the error that you're getting, but I do have a possible quick and easy solution to get your pictures.  If it were me (and I had a second computer) I would try hooking the hard drive up to a second working computer as a slave drive.  You should then be able to use my computer or explorer to copy files.  Then I would reinstall windows.    *Was going to provide steps to do this... but it's a laptop.  Won't be easy.    Have you tried to boot into safe mode?  To do this, push F8 right before you see the windows logo and the progress bar.  Then select safe mode with networking.  Try to get in there and see if you can't use a USB stick or external hard drive, or email your self in order to save those pictures.

iawalkes · Answer

That will work... BUT     it's not as easy IF     and I mean IF safe mode works, you will see a bunch of garbage thrown across the screen, then it will ask if you want to stay in safe mode, choose yes.  You will see your desktop with no background.  And it will have 'Safe Mode' written all along the sides of the screen.  Safe mode with networking would allow you to use your wireless access or wired if you have it. I'm pretty sure safe mode should allow usb access.  If not, we can move onto recovery console and see if it doesn't recognize the usb drive so we can copy things using a prompt.  I just wanted to try and stay away from that.  And, is recovery console working?  You say you're getting to a c:\windows prompt, is this from recovery console?  Because we can use that later if safe mode doesn't work.       My suggestion: I was hoping we could take the drive out and use it on a second computer so you could take important files off of it.

Laknormn · Answer

Thank you so much for the reply.  We do have a second computer and even a 250gb external hard drive (wished I had used it to back up my pictures and such).   I'm at work, but I will try to boot into safe mode tonight.  What's the difference between safe mode and safe mode with networking.  If safe mode 'lets me in,' what should I see?  Should Windows then start up if it works properly or do I have to do something else once I'm in safe mode?  I can get to a C:\Windows prompt, but then I don't know where to go.   '*Was going to provide steps to do this... but it's a laptop.  Won't be easy. '  Any suggestions for this?  Is there a way for me to hook up the external hard drive and using DOS tell the system to copy everything in My Pictures to that drive?   Thanks again, Jill

Laknormn · Answer

GREAT NEWS! I fixed it!!!!

It's funny because after reading many, many entries on this site, none seemed to report that something had worked for them.

I tried the Safe Mode with Networking, but that didn't work.

It seems so simple, but here's what I did. (I'm giving detailed step by step for those people who have the same problem and may read this who aren't very techno savy, like me):

1) I restarted my computer. When it starts, there is a message that pops up for about 1 1/2 seconds in the top right corner of the screen that says, "F1 - Setup, F2 - Boot" (or something like that). Since I was going to be using a CD (using my Windows XP Home Edition disk even though I have Windows XP Professional on my computer), I needed the computer to read from that first when it starts so as soon as I saw that message, I hit "F1." The screen switched to an old DOS looking screen with file folders down the left side (directions are at the bottom of the screen for moving through the folders). I used my down arrow button to move down through the options until I came to the one that listed the order in which the computer searches for data. I hit "enter" to edit it. Using my arrow keys again I selected the one at the bottom of the list - "Run from CD/DVD drive" (or something to that effect). I used the "u" key to move it to the top of the list. Then I hit "enter" to tell it I was done. The screen changed and I chose "Save and Exit." (I might have had to tell it I was finished before getting to that step, I can't remember)

2) I restarted my computer using a hard boot (I pushed the power button off, waited 5 seconds, then turned it back on). The computer started up and I could hear it whirling and saw the light on the CD rom blinking. Then nothing except a black screen with a curser in the top left corner. I actually missed it the first time, but a message pops up there for about 2 seconds saying, "Hit any key to run for CD." The second time I tried, I saw the message and hit a key. Then the Welcome to Windows XP setup came up. Having tried this before, I went ahead and hit "r" from the main screen to enter the Recovery Console. I realize that some instructions tell you not to do it, but I'd done it before and nothing bad had happened yet. A screen came up asking which version of Windows XP I wanted to repair (there was only one choice, so I typed in "1" - without the quote marks). Nothing happened, so I hit "enter" which is tricky because the instructions on the page so to cancel hit "enter." Regardless, a c:\windows> prompt came up. Here's where we (my husband and I) did this incorrect earlier in the day. I wanted to try and run "chkdsk /r" but didn't think that earlier when we ran it (I at work giving my husband directions over the phone) that we were running it in the Windows directory (c:\windows). So, I figured it needed to be run just on c:\.

3) Assuming your a techno-tard like me, here's what you do to change to the c:\ prompt (nobody seems to ever have this in their instructions. They seem to assume you already know how to do this.) At the "c:\windows>" prompt type in "cd c:\" without the quotes so it looks like this:

c:\windows>cd c:\

and hit your enter button. The prompt should change to c:\>. From here, type in "chkdsk /r" without the quotes so it looks like this:

c:\>chkdsk /r

and hit your enter button. Please note that there is a space between the "k" and the "/". The computer should start doing it's thing. A % at the bottom shows you how much it's done. Please note: This may take hours to complete. Just when I thought it was stuck and not doing anything because the % hadn't changed in 20-30 minutes, it went up 1%. I left it running and went to bed. Not sure exactly how long it took. In the morning the screen told me that it had identified and fixed one or more files. DON'T STOP HERE.

At the c:\> prompt, type in the chkdsk /r again. Let it run again. (You may have to run it more that 2 times, but 2 times worked for me). It did it much quicker, but it still took around an hour for it to complete. Run it until it doesn't report any files had to be fixed or repaired.

4) At the c:\> prompt, type in "Exit" without the quote marks. Restart the computer if it doesn't restart automatically. Viola, up came Windows.

5) If you are like me, now that you've learned your lesson, back up all of your data. If you are like most people, it is all under "My Documents." I'd suggest backing it up to an external hard drive (if you don't have one, get one). Some just back it up to disk. There are probably other options I don't know about. Sorry, I'm not giving instructions on backing up here, but I'm sure another thread will have it.

Please Note: Many posts that I've read say that this problem is a sign that your hard drive is failing, so if you continue to use your computer as is, I'd suggest you back it up often. I'm going to assume this is true, so I plan on trying to find information about how to replace a hard drive on a lap top. If this is true, I'm very disappointed because I bought my laptop new from Dell in February, 2006. It isn't even 2 years old. Of course I only took the one year warranty that came with it, thinking it was a quality product that would last 3-4 years.

Would love to know if this information is actually helpful to anyone else. - Jill

If anyone has any suggestions and can point me in the right direction for replacing the hard drive in my laptop, I'd appreciate it. I don't know what my limitations are (or even how to break the thing open.)

Thanks iawalkes for being the only person to respond and for trying to help me. It's nice to know we're not alone out here. :)

Happy Computing!

Jill

Message Edited by Laknormn on 11-15-2007 01:40 PM

Laknormn · Answer

You know, you're probably right. We tend to carry it from room to room while it's on (trying to keep my 2 year old son away from it) and watching missed episodes of "The Office" and "Heroes." :smileytongue: It's probably our fault that the hard drive is becoming damaged. :smileymad:

Anyway, thanks for the advice about Newegg and the Notebook forum. I'll check them out. I bought something at Newegg before but it's been years.

Take care,

Jill

Message Edited by Laknormn on 11-15-2007 11:47 AM

Message Edited by Laknormn on 11-15-2007 01:39 PM

iawalkes · Answer

I'm glad you were able to fix it, but yeah. That's definately not a good sign :( You're hard drive is on it's way down. I would think maybe it was shook too much with vibrations while it was on causing scratches on the surface of the disk. I like newegg.com to buy computer parts. You should be able to find a replacement notebook hard drive there. You can decide what size you want and things of that nature. I would do this asap. When you get to upgrading the hard drive, make sure you post under notebooks, hardware upgrade. There'll be people there who will be able to help you with that more than I can. I've never been allowed to work on a notebook yet! :) Hope everything goes well!

dadol · Answer

More power to all... When you receive the  New puter thats the time and probably the only time,  to make a  Recovery disk. of the Recovery option in Programs because if your hard drive fails  and is replaced by Dell, you only get a blank HD and on reinstallation of Windows XP Pro ,this will not include the recovery function in Windows programs   I didn' tknow this but for some unknown reason I saw this in Programs and made a Recovery disk...Then when Dell replaced a bad hard drive the Recovery  option was no longer there affter Dell re installed  Win XP Pro.   Then for months I could not get any action  after trying to use disks :( Reinstallatin, Resources, Dell Recovery) Which  F12 to the end where cllick   Enter to continue, R for Recovery, F3 to quit, do all those and no action whatsoever... just like a bad Keyboard   Solution: Loaned my Printer and Scanner to  my neighbor and for some unlnown reason while they were gone (disconnected) I tried the disks again and  woo hoo they all worked. So my solutino was disconnect the printeer and/or scanner then  all three disks will function.   Oh Happy Day.

Anticon · Answer

58% complete. If this works, I will hunt you down and shower you with gifts. =)

Anticon · Answer

nope =(

Laknormn · Answer

Anticon, I'm so sorry it didn't work for you.  I had to run it a few times till I finally got it to work.  Wish I knew something else to tell you.  :(   Jill

MRBRDL · Answer

We got this last night on our laptop purchased in August 2006. Incidentally, the LCD screen also went out on us in September 2007 - 3 weeks to the day after the 1 year warranty expired. Cost $500 to fix that - and they gave us another warranty for three months, so that would have taken us through late December 2007. On Feb. 1 2008 the hard drive starts to fail. This is my third Dell and the other two have been workhorses with no problems, so naturally I expected the same. I am very disappointed in this purchase.

thanks for letting me rant - we are trying to decide whether to try the steps you listed or just cough up the $200 and turn it over to Geek Squad.

iawalkes · Answer

$200.00?  Not worth it in my opinion.  I would try all of the various procedures listed here.  If none of these work, keep posting here.  I'll make sure to check it.  We'll get this fixed and it won't cost you $200.00.  Just maybe a replacement hard drive.  Ya know... it may take time.  It may take effort, but let's put $200.00 in terms of gas.  I can fill my car's tank 6 times with that money.  I'd want to try everything possible before doing that!  :smileywink:     let me know how it goes

pikanjoe · Answer

Woke up to pretty much the same thing as you describe this morning on my Latitude 610. After trying many many things without success, I tried your chkdsk approach and it worked perfectly. So glad that I found your post before I went berserk. Thanks for sharing your battle so that others could benefit.

Laknormn · Answer

Hi pikanjoe,

I'm so glad it worked for you. I'm also glad I wrote it on here when it happened to me because if it were to happen again I could refer to it (since I don't remember now what I did). Glad I could help at least one person. :)

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