pdfcrowd.com open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API Question Applies to Windows | Windows XP | Update & recovery 144469 views windows\system32\config\system file missing or corrupt HELP - As per above title i have done this:- To complete part one, follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or Still have questions? Ask the community Related Content Show more content like this TK1610 asked on November 21, 2010 TK Learn More Community Sign in By using this site you agree to the use of cookies for analytics, personalized content and ads. Home Categories Participate
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Applies to Windows | Windows XP | Update & recovery144469 views
windows\system32\config\systemfile missing or corrupt
HELP - As per above title i have done this:-To complete part one, follow these steps:
1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or
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TK1610 asked on November 21, 2010TK
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insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, andthen restart the computer.Click to select any options that are required to start the computerfrom the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to startthe Recovery Console.
3. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select theinstallation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
4. When you are prompted to do so, type the Administratorpassword. If the administrator password is blank, just pressENTER.
5. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the followinglines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:md tmpcopy c:\windows\system32\config\systemc:\windows\tmp\system.bakcopy c:\windows\system32\config\softwarec:\windows\tmp\software.bakcopy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bakcopy c:\windows\system32\config\securityc:\windows\tmp\security.bakcopy c:\windows\system32\config\defaultc:\windows\tmp\default.bak
6. Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.
Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to theC:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriatewindows_folder if it is a different location.
If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy thetext in step five, and then create a text file called "Regcopy1.txt" (forexample). To use this file, run the following command when you start inRecovery Console:batch regcopy1.txtWith the batch command in Recovery Console, you can process all thecommands in a text file sequentially. When you use thebatchcommand, you do not have to manually type as many commands.Part twoTo complete the procedure described in this section, you must belogged on as an administrator, or an administrative user (a user whohas an account in the Administrators group). If you are using Windows
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XP Home Edition, you can log on as an administrative user. If you log onas an administrator, you must first start Windows XP Home Edition inSafe mode. To start the Windows XP Home Edition computer in Safemode, follow these steps.
Note Print these instructions before you continue. You cannot viewthese instructions after you restart the computer in Safe Mode. If youuse the NTFS file system, also print the instructions from KnowledgeBase article KB309531. Step 7 contains a reference to the article.
1. Click Start , click Shut Down (or click Turn Off Computer ),click Restart , and then click OK (or click Restart ).
2. Press the F8 key.
On a computer that is configured to start to multiple operatingsystems, you can press F8 when you see the Startup menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate Safe mode option,and then press ENTER.
4. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, use the arrowkeys to select the installation that you want to access, and thenpress ENTER.
In part two, you copy the registry files from their backed up location byusing System Restore. This folder is not available in Recovery Consoleand is generally not visible during typical usage. Before you start thisprocedure, you must change several settings to make the folder visible:
1. Start Windows Explorer.2. On the Tools menu, click Folder options .3. Click the View tab.4. Under Hidden files and folders , click to select Show hidden
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files and folders , and then click to clear theHide protectedoperating system files (Recommended) check box.
5. Click Yes when the dialog box that confirms that you want todisplay these files appears.
6. Double-click the drive where you installed Windows XP to displaya list of the folders. If is important to click the correct drive.
7. Open the System Volume Information folder. This folder isunavailable and appears dimmed because it is set as a super-hidden folder.
Note This folder contains one or more _restore {GUID} folderssuch as "_restore{87BD3667-3246-476B-923F-F86E30B3E7F8}".
Note You may receive the following error message:C:\System Volume Information is not accessible. Access isdenied.If you receive this message, see the following MicrosoftKnowledge Base article to gain access to this folder and continuewith the procedure:309531 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531/ ) How to gainaccess to the System Volume Information folder
8. Open a folder that was not created at the current time. You mayhave to clickDetails on the View menu to see when these folderswere created. There may be one or more folders starting with"RPx under this folder. These are restore points.
9. Open one of these folders to locate a Snapshot subfolder. Thefollowing path is an example of a folder path to the Snapshotfolder:
11. Rename the files in the C:\Windows\Tmp folder as follows:Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULTRename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY toSECURITYRename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE toSOFTWARERename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEMRename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM
These files are the backed up registry files from System Restore.Because you used the registry file that the Setup program created, thisregistry does not know that these restore points exist and are available.A new folder is created with a new GUID under System VolumeInformation and a restore point is created that includes a copy of theregistry files that were copied during part one. Therefore, it is importantnot to use the most current folder, especially if the time stamp on thefolder is the same as the current time.
The current system configuration is not aware of the previous restorepoints. You must have a previous copy of the registry from a previous
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restore point to make the previous restore points available again.
The registry files that were copied to the Tmp folder in the C:\Windowsfolder are moved to make sure that the files are available underRecovery Console. You must use these files to replace the registry filescurrently in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder. By default,Recovery Console has limited folder access and cannot copy files fromthe System Volume folder.
Note The procedure described in this section assumes that you arerunning your computer with the FAT32 file system. For more informationabout how to access the System Volume Information Folder with theNTFS file system, click the following article number to view the article inthe Microsoft Knowledge Base:309531 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309531/ ) How to gain accessto the System Volume Information folderPart ThreeIn part three, you delete the existing registry files, and then copy theSystem Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Configfolder:
1. Start Recovery Console.2. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing
ENTER after you type each line:del c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\tmp\default c:\windows\system32\config\defaultNote Some of these command lines may be wrapped forreadability.
3. Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts.
Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to theC:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriatewindows_folder if it is a different location.
If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy thetext in step two, and then create a text file called "Regcopy2.txt" (forexample). To use this file, run the following command when you start inRecovery Console:
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batch regcopy2.txtPart Four
1. Click Start , and then click All Programs .2. Click Accessories , and then click System Tools .3. Click System Restore , and then click Restore to a previous
RestorePoint .
and now when I go to part four and try to log on it says that I have toactivate windows in order to log on. If I click yes, the computer justhangs at my background picture, if I click no it chucks me back to thelog in page.....what is going wrong with this blooming thing PLEASE HELP - it's taken three days of messing around and effectivelyIve got nowhere!!
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Ooooo... should have started here:
Was the issue preceded by a power interruption, aborted restart, orimproper shutdown? (this includes plug pulling and power buttons)
These can cause corruption in the file system which must be fixedbefore you do anything else.
If any of those events have occurred (or even if they have not occurred),you should verify the integrity of your file system before doing anythingelse (especially "trying" things).
It makes zero sense to start trying to copy files around on a hard diskthat has a corrupted file system so this must be fixed first using the XPchkdsk program, and running chkdsk may resolve your issue entirely.
Use the XP Recovery Console to verify the file system on your HDD andcorrect any problems and then try to boot your system - this may be allyou need to do. Or, you are welcome to just start trying things thatmight work.
Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XPinstallation CD, or create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.
This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come astore bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD youhave, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure.
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After booting into the Recovery Console, you should be in this folder:
C:\WINDOWS
For each of your hard disk partitions, you should then run:
chkdsk /r
For example, from the Recovery Console prompt, enter:
chkdsk c: /r
Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find. It may take along time to complete or appear to be 'stuck'. Be patient. If the HDDlight is still flashing, it is doing something. Keep an eye on thepercentage amount to be sure it is still making progress. It may evenappear to go backwards sometimes.
The chkdsk /r needs to complete without any errors, so you may needto run it multiple times until it does.
Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the computerand report back with your progress.
Do, or do not. There is no try.I need YOUR votes and points for helpful replies and Propose asAnswers. I am saving up for a pony!
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10 people found this helpful
All replies (17)
In reply to A. User's post on November 21, 2010
I just wanted to say thank you very much for your advise Dena. I wasable to recover a PC that produced the error with the "chkdsk c:/ r"command without any problems at all. The percentage meter did gobackwards as described. Again many thanks for the advice. I was happyto inform the customer that they did not have to reload all of their data.
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In reply to A. User's post on November 21, 2010
Hi,
I was going through the whole process step-by-step but am now stuckhere. Somehow at the point where i was supposed to copy the filesfrom the snapshot folder in the System Volume Information, thesnapshot folder is missing.
There are two subfolders in the System Volume Information one ofwhich is a little older than the other, but the subfolder within that, theRPx folder, does not contain a snapshot folder. Although, the newerfolder which carries today's date and is newer, does have a snapshotfolder.
Please advise on what to do as i'm stuck here and clueless.
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I cannot even get into the recovery panel?... Some diagnostics suggesthard drive crashed while other do not?... Cannot even get to point ofreformatting and reloading XP? Suggestions?
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In reply to SteveD2012's post on January 28, 2012
Due to the age of this issue, it would be best to create a new thread forthis in the following forum: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/system
Helpful Reply Report abuse
SteveD2012 replied on January 28, 2012ST
Matthew_Omega replied on February 3, 2012Microsoft
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In reply to Rupesh.Sharma's post on April 29, 2013
That is a good idea too!
I am starting to suggest Hiren's Boot CD (or USB) more often since itbetter handles various configurations and works when folks don't haveany bootable XP media or on systems where there is no CD/DVD drive.
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Problem with me in this case is that I don't even have a startup disk andhave never been able to find one!
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In reply to TioZoso's post on July 28, 2013
If you have this problem, I would never, never, never start with thatadvice from TK1610 (that is KB307545).
It is too complicated, things often go wrong, etc., etc. KB307545 worksjust fine if everything goes perfectly, but it rarely does.
The problem is most likely that XP just can't find the file due to somecorruption in the NT File System (NTFS). Was the issue preceded by apower interruption, aborted restart, or improper shutdown? (thisincludes plug pulling, power buttons, removing the battery, etc.).
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If the file system is corrupted, it also doesn't make sense to start tryingto copy files around until the NTFS is fixed of you are going to just makethings worse. You might get half way through and run into problems notbeing able to find/copy the rest of the files. If XP can't find them, why doyou think you are going to be able to find them?
For that error, always, always, always start with a chkdsk with errorcorrection (chkdsk /r). That will fix this problem 99.9% of the time.
I have NEVER used KB307545 for this problem, but have fixed it moretimes than I can count in the last decade of XP. I will never evensuggest KB307545 - I know better. Sure - KB307545 is the first thing tocome up in a Google search and KB307545 has it's place in the worldbut not for this error.
If you have no genuine bootable XP media, make yourself a Hiren's BootCD, run your chkdsk from there until it runs clean. Then if the systemstill has the same problem, from Hiren's use the Registry RestoreWizard to restore your registry back to a date (a day or two) before theproblem occurred. That does all the KB307545 work for you in a flash.
Here's how:
Make yourself a Hiren's Boot CD which you can download from here:
http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/
The ZIP file is large, so the download will probably take a little while to
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complete bit it is worth it. Then unzip the download to extract theHirens.BootCD.ISO file that will be used to create your new bootableCD.
Creating a bootable CD from a .ISO file is not the same as just copyingthe .ISO file to a blank CD. You have to use software that understandshow to burn a .ISO file to a CD to create a bootable CD.
In the Hiren's ZIP file are the BurnToCD.cmd file that you can doubleclick to launch it, but I have never used it and prefer to use ImgBurn.
If you need a free and easy CD burning software package, here is apopular free program:
http://www.imgburn.com/
When installing ImgBurn, DO NOT install anything from UniBlue or theAsk toolbar (never install the ASK toolbar for anything).
Here are some instructions for ImgBurn:
http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61
It would be a good idea to test your new bootable CD on a computer thatis working.
You may need to adjust the computer BIOS settings to use the CDROM drive as the first boot device instead of the hard disk.
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These adjustments are made before Windows tries to load. If you missit, you will have to reboot the system again.
When booting on the Hiren's CD you will see a menu of options. Choose the Mini XP option. Then it will appear that Windows is beingloaded and you will be presented with a desktop that has the look andfeel of the Windows Explorer interface you are already used to using.
Remember: You did not boot on your hard disk - you booted into theHiren's desktop.
One way to check the disk for errors is to open My Computer and rightclick your afflicted drive and choose Properties, Tools, Error-checking,Check Now... put a check mark in both the boxes and then Start.
Sometimes that doesn't work, so you can also click Start, Run and inthe box enter:
cmd
Click OK to open a Command Prompt window and enter the followingcommand (assuming XP is installed on your C drive)
chkdsk c: /r
This disk checking can take a long time (perhaps several to manyhours) depending on the size of the volume, the amount of data on the
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volume and what the disk checking finds to do.
Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find.
Depending on the the speed of your system, the size of the volume, theamount of data on the volume and what chkdsk finds to do, it may take along time for chkdsk with error correction to complete (several to manyhours) or it may appear to be 'stuck'. Be patient. If the HDD light is stillflashing, chkdsk is doing something so don't interrupt it. It will finisheventually one way or the other. Keep an eye on the percentageamount to be sure it is still making progress. It may even appear to gobackwards sometimes.
You may have to run the chkdsk /r it more than once.
When the chkdsk runs clean, remove the CD and restart your system.
Okay, I have gotten as far as using the burned disk to boot the systemto where I choose the Mini XP option. However, after I choose that, thescreen goes black and it stays that way no matter how long I wait. Anyideas? And thanks for the info so far.
