Corrupt WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Question

Hello,   I'm hoping someone can help me. My 8400 crashed, and when I tried to reboot, I got this message:   Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system\   You 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.   I've tried to do what it says to do on the Microsoft site, using the Windows XP startup CD, but when I get to the repair screen, it never prompts me for the admin password. Everthing I type gets 'Access is Denied' as a response. When I try to reload XP, it says that the startup program can't gain access to the disk. In other words, I've tried what Microsoft said I should do to rememdy the problem, and neither worked. Is there anything else I can do? Could a professional fix this? Is the computer toast?   Thanks

GioAguilar · Answer

Is this the MS article you taked about?

This should ask you to select where is located the windows and gives you some options (the normal is 1: C:\Windows

So you press one and then press enter, immediately after that, it should ask you to enter the Administrator accoun, if you ever used the Administrator accoun and you setup a password, type, if not, is not needed to type anything, and just press enter, when you see the C:\Windows> type in there what the document says.

I recommend to type just

c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

is not really necesary to type each line.

maybe that doesn't work, just type

py c:\windows\repair\system .bak c:\windows\system32\config\system

Notice we added the .bak

If this doesn't work, you may need to do a clean installation of XP

Also, run the diagnostic on the hard drive, just to see if there's no a problem with that...

mlat · Answer

Thanks for your reply. I unplugged all my peripherals, including an external HD. Now when I run the repair console, or try to reload XP, it says that there is no hard drive. Does this mean the HD is shot? Can this be fixed?   Thanks again for your help.

GioAguilar · Answer

Go to he BIOS (by pressing F2) and check if the drive is recognized. If not, enable it back, or restore default. Also, running the Hard Drive diagnostic will help, you can see in there if there's a problem with the HD. Just press F12 when you see the Dell screen.

RoHe · Answer

When it asks for the password, just press ENTER. And read this about fixing a corrupt hive: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm Ron

JRosenfeld · Answer

Another useful reference is   http://webcast.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=8658

Windows General

Corrupt WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

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