Member Avatar for Deon36

What the heck?...

My system was working fine then it just stiffed up on me. I had to unplug it to shut down...nothing worked. I did a surface scan of the HD and it came out fine but now when I boot up...the XP logo doesn't show then this error shows up...

WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

uhhh...can I fix this withought having to format?

HEEELLPPP!!!!!! :cry:

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by crunchie

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Generated

This error means Windows cannot load the SYSTEM registry hive (the registry database stored under \Windows\System32\Config). It is not a normal DLL fault — the OS needs that hive to build the hardware/profile configuration during boot. Before reformatting, try restoring the registry hives from the XP install media: this often recovers the machine without a full reinstall.

Boot the Windows XP CD, press R for the Recovery Console, choose the installation number and enter the Administrator password. From the Recovery Console run these commands (rename the current hives first, then copy the originals from the Repair folder):

cd \windows\system32\config
ren system system.bak
ren software software.bak
ren sam sam.bak
ren security security.bak
ren default default.bak

copy \windows\repair\system \windows\system32\config\system
copy \windows\repair\software \windows\system32\config\software
copy \windows\repair\sam \windows\system32\config\sam
copy \windows\repair\security \windows\system32\config\security
copy \windows\repair\default \windows\system32\config\default
exit

Notes and cautions: the Repair copies are the state from the original install — recent drivers, updates or software installed after Windows setup will be lost and may need reinstallation. If the Repair folder lacks files, the copy will fail and you’ll need to try alternate recovery (System Restore snapshots, a known-good backup, or imaging tools). If the CD/console won’t boot, try a different optical drive or USB boot medium, set a temporary minimal hardware configuration (remove nonessential PCI cards and extra RAM sticks as suggested by @caparjack) and try again. If the hard disk shows physical errors or repeated copy failures, image the drive before more writes and run vendor S.M.A.R.T/diagnostic tools — failing disks are a common underlying cause.

This approach is a non-destructive next step after the Last Known Good/Repair-console attempts mentioned earlier in the thread; if it fails, a repair install or clean install will be the final option.

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for Bear

Try starting the computer using The Last Known Good Configuration, more information and instructions HERE

Member Avatar for webecho

Its fairly simple I have posted details here

Hope it helps you


Webecho

Member Avatar for moondust

Do you know what causes this problem other then the computer not being shut down properly

Member Avatar for webecho

Do you know what causes this problem other then the computer not being shut down properly

Mine was down to a few power cuts in the area ...I believe.
Same as not shutting down properly really.

Not experienced it from any other causes

Member Avatar for geebalicous

that happened 2 me it wos something wrong with tha bios. i had 2 get sum guy 2 come and fix it but i didnt hav 2 reformat. so i'd just call the company ur PC came from if it had warranty or take it 2 a PC repair shop

Member Avatar for geebalicous

or if u can change the bios yourself if your professional

Member Avatar for PsyKoKill

when this happens iv always used the following to fix the problem,

use windows disk and boot from tht...
on the first scren select "Repair" or "r"

the select the windows installation to enter... usually "1"

then hit enter,

then run the following comands in the following order,

1) FIXBOOT
2) FIXMBR
3) CHKDSK /P/R
4) EXIT

then select start windows normally if prompted.... should work from thn on...

:D - has saved my bacon in shop many times :D

Member Avatar for kmbee

When i put in the cd the drive is laboring bt i still get the message windows fail--

Member Avatar for caperjack

When i put in the cd the drive is laboring

Get it to push,push ,push , oh sorry i thought you said it was in labor.


explain you problem ,so we don't have to read all the old post in this old thread that you have hijacked !

Member Avatar for kmbee

I got the system 32 error.
Tried to use repair console but still get system 32 error when i put in the boot cd.

use of F2 or Del did not make any difference- still get system 32 error

tried cd in another computer and got the screen with 'r'.

Changed the cd drive in the defective computer did not help

Member Avatar for caperjack

Open the tower cover and remove any addin PCI cards like sound card and modem or network card .see what happens ,if you have more than one stick of ram remove all but one .

Member Avatar for nelly123

same thing happened.that system 32 error...everytime when i install a new window error message come without doing nework ...plzz what should i do?

Member Avatar for crunchie

same thing happened.that system 32 error...everytime when i install a new window error message come without doing nework ...plzz what should i do?

Hi nelly123.

First of all- welcome to Daniweb :).

We ask that members not piggy-back questions on to a thread previously started by another member here in the Viruses, Spyware & other Nasties forum, (regardless of how similar your problem might seem). Not only does it divert the focus of the thread away from the original poster's problem, but it also makes it less likely that you yourself will get the individual attention that you need.

Please start your own thread and post your question there. When you do, please try to give us as much specific info as possible regarding the problem (exact error messages, system specs, etc.).

For a full description of our posting guidelines and general rules of conduct, please see this page:

http://www.daniweb.com/forums/faq.php?faq=daniweb_policies


Thanks for understanding.

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