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corrupt system files in windows xp
My dell 8400 would not boot up on friday due to corrupt system32 config system file. tried to use recovery console and winfx 247 method described in microsoft knoweledge base, which calls for backing up default, sam, security, system and software files, deleting the same and then copy from repair folder the same files. After trying this, and then attempting a repair installation of windows Xp, the system will still not boot, but will pull up dell screen, windows Xp screen and the quickly displaying message "the return status indicates that the value provided by the current password is not valid" At this point the system attempts to reenter setup and will go through the same cycle unless a key is pressed at the "select any key to reboot from CD" prompt. If a key is pressed set up will take you back to recovery console, repair installation or fresh install screen. If recovery console is selected and the number for the system (1 in my case, since I only have one system) is selected and entered, the system prompts for a password; (simply hitting enter again will not work) and after three attempts exits recovery console. Attempting a repair installation again does not work, it just starts the same cycle over.
Eventually i found the dell fix for this which is similar to the microsoft one, but copys the files to the config folder from the registry; but there is no way for me to use recovery console now to apply this fix. Is there any way to get back into recovery console or to delete the system file from system32 config and copy a new one in from the registry?. Absent this, will a fresh install delete all the data files from my hard drive
Still circling
Aterry4
Thanks for the reply, toggling F8 gets you to the advanced start up okay, but selecting any of the options results in the appropriate mode trying to boot, then the message "when trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided by the current password is not correct" displays momentarily and the system recycles through the screens described earlier. The recycling progresses with or without the reinstallation disk in the Cd drive, you just don't get the option to reboot from the cd if the disk is not in the drive.
It seems as if the password problem is related to OEM hive files, and I probably created the problem because i tried to copy the files from the repair folder as described in the Winfx 247 fix rather that the dell fix, which has you copy the files from the registry. I didn't come across the dell fix until later; but now the password problem seems to have locked me out of recovery console and any of the advanced start up options.
Aterry4
The floppy won't let you access C:\> prompt
This is the MS article on the repair console: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545
Message Edited by chuket on 04-25-200604:58 PM
I do not have a floppy drive on the problem computer, so that option is out. The link in your reply is the same fix as the WInFx 247, the caution against using it on OEM computers may be part of the problem. If there is some kind of a work around to allow the use of recovery console or command prompt that can get around the password problem that seems to be related to the system or sam file; then I think that's where I need to go.
Thanks
Aterry4
- The system seems to have created it's own password as evidenced by this message at every advanced startup option "when trying to update a password the return status indicates that the value provided by the current password is not correct" Also recovery console asks for administrator password and I have never set one. Is there a logical or default password that the system would create?Aterry4
You could try "administrator" as the password and see if that gets you going and/or read this from MS:
chuket
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Posted April 25th, 2006 01:00
This is probably doubtful but............... You can try this. Restart the machine and keep tapping the F8 key until you get a black DOS screen. Select "Safe mode with command prompt". If you get that far, type in cd C:\ or cd C:
At the C:\> prompt type in copy C:\Windows\repair\system and [Enter].
EDIT: If the above doesn't work, try the following which will get you a command prompt.
If you have a floppy drive and have access to another XP machine with a floppy drive, put a blank floppy in the drive and r-click and select format. From the format screen, select "Create an MS-DOS startup disk". Put the floppy you created in your machine and Start. When you get to the A:\> prompt type in cd C:\ and at the C:\> prompt type copy C:\Windows\repair\system
Note the space between y C:
Message Edited by chuket on 04-24-200611:49 PM