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9372
February 23rd, 2008 18:00
Help! Another \windows\system32\config\system error. I need the data on my laptop!
Hello all, I am running XP home on a Inspiron 8600.
I turned on the computer yesterday and the \windows\system32\config\system error came up saying the file was missing or corrupt.
I did the instructions below as have many members of this board and it won't work for me.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
I have also read every post in here about this issue. I'd really prefer not to re-install XP, as I need all of the data the affected computer. I could get to the step where it says "type cd system32\config..." and then it does nothing at the "type dir system..." step. It says the file is missing and or the computer doesn't understand the command. Then it tells me to type help for a list of commands... if I skip this step all together and go to the ren system system.bak step, it does the same thing, telling me it doesnt' understand....
HELP!
I am running a chkdsk /r right now, someone had posted that this helped them through several errors. It's taking forever, at least 40 minutes to get to 71% where I am now.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Pawk
319 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2008 18:00
If your drive is desperate need of correction, 40 minutes for a chkdsk /r is not at all abnormal. In fact, chkdsk /r can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and 30 minutes, depending on drive size. Most likely the errors you recieved could also be related to the corruption. Here, I'll copy my little guide to manual system restore here as well.
Boot to recovery console:
Turn on your system, tapping F12. When it gets to the Boot Device Menu, insert your Windows XP CD, and select the DVD/CD rom device. Hit Enter, and be ready to hit any key the moment it states that onscreen. It will load up the Install screen, hit R to proceed. Follow the instructions onscreen to log into Windows and get to the command prompt.
Then enter the commands
cd \Windows\system32\config
ren system system.bak
exit
Reboot into recovery console.
Once back to a command prompt, type:
cd \system~1\_resto~1
dir
Look at the folders that start with RP, and the dates they were created. Find the most recent date when it booted, then type in
cd rp[number of folder you're entering]
cd snapshot
copy _ registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy _ registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy _ registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy _ registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy _ registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default
exit
RealtorDom
3 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2008 20:00
By the way, chk dsk /r found errors and corrected them. This didn't solve my problem though. This board is great because of people like PAWK... Keep it up!
RealtorDom
3 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2008 20:00
OMG! You saved me!!! Thanks so much, I'm not sure why the link above didn't help me... I searched posts for a long time and never found what you said to do... It worked and I am very happy... FYI- to others searching this same issue in the future:
After I enter the command ren system system.bak, the computer says "The system cannot find the file or directory specified".
I went ahead and clicked exit and I restarted the Recovery Console, then I did all of the steps which came next. MAKE SURE YOU PUT IN SPACES AFTER COPY below.
THANKS!!!! you just saved me hours of pain and lots of $$!
Pawk
319 Posts
0
February 23rd, 2008 21:00
mgdh
10 Posts
0
February 25th, 2008 23:00
Run a repair installation using the Xp CD, if copying hives doesnot fix.
else u can do a parallel install as well. NO DATA LOSS GUARANTEED !
http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdparallell/indexfullpage.htm
Merkland
4 Posts
0
March 31st, 2008 18:00
Although this refers to XP Home on an Inspiron, will Pawks solution also work for a Dimension 5000
Thanks