System32 file missing or corrupt

[pcengine92]

Just booted up this morning, and getting message stating that hard drive cannot be located due to "WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error. I tried to recover using my windows 2000 pro disc and windows xp upgrade disc, but unable to access recovery option. Even after the discs have loaded, I get the message to reboot as hard drive could not be found. I do not have the recovery discs, and attempting to boot in "safe mode" or "last known good configuration" doesn't work as the hard drive cannot be found. Any Ideas?

[lophiomys]

Hi,

I just had this very same problem last Monday with WinXP.
It is the System part of the registry, which seems to be lost in the file system. Thanks M$.

As it happens, that day I was far away from my readily prepared backups (Acronis True image).

I had to try serveral WinXP setup disks until I got the option of the Recovery Console offered
by the Windows installation CD. As far as I understood it has to be a full licence installation CD,
not an OEM or upgrade.

In the Recovery console I did a file system check (chkdsk /f /p), which luckily recovered the
lost file.

There are several lengthy Microsoft articles/instructions, about how to restore a lost registry file.
One of them being:
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
I hope that this will be valid for W2k too... or that there is a similar article.

HTH

[pcengine92]

Using the m$ method of recovery, I would end up deleting the files I currently have on the HD. I just want to restore the "windows/system32/config/system" file, thus saving the hard drive and the data on it. There's no way to just download the file I need and install it?

[lophiomys]

M$ method is not necessarily deleting the files on your HD.

.../Config/System is the System-part of your registry.
If it is only an NTFS file system failure, you have a chance to recover by doing a chkdisk from the Recovery Console unsing a suitable Windows installation disk (full license system)

The M$ method of restoring the registry involves
a) restoring it to factory default, using the Recovery Console
b) then booting in Save Mode and from there recovering the Regitsty from the "Last known good configuration" to a tmp-directory and then
c) again from the Recovery Console restoring the good Registry from the temp-dir to its actual working dir in ...\system\config.

I guess that is what they call user friendly in Redmont.

HTH

[pcengine92]

I somehow managed to get the computer to load up to the windows xp logo screen, but now it just freezes there. Actually, not freezing, it just slows to a dreadful crawl.

[RealBlackStuff]

If you are talking R40, the HD is probably on the way out.
If R60, you may have a corrupt Windows installation.
Re-install Windows over itself in "Repair" modus.

[pcengine92]

If you are talking R40, the HD is probably on the way out.
If R60, you may have a corrupt Windows installation.
Re-install Windows over itself in "Repair" modus.

I did. I put in my xp upgrade cd, and let it install. I then hit f8, then "r" for repair. I have tried this several times now. When booting in safe mode, I get the message "windows xp setup cannot run under safemode. Setup will restart now."

I've also tried the fixmbr and fixboot commands at the dos prompt. No luck.

[pcengine92]

I found out that I am missing the ASMS file. I have been trying to restore it using my windows 2000 pro disc and the xp upgrade disc. So far, no luck.