BleepingComputer.com: C:\Windows\System32\config\system - file is missing or corrupt?

Hey guys:

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP3. I got up today went to turn on the computer and that's what it said, "C:\Windows\System32\config\system - file is missing or corrupt? Please run the boot cd try to fix the problem." After a bunch of googling, I assume that it's a registry problem. I think I need to do something in the System Volume Information folder, but, I'm not positive.

I did put in the original XP cd and tried to do a system repair. The computer freezes and needs to be re-booted before it ever gets to the point where it says, "Welcome to Windows Setup". A couple of times it made it to..."Windows is Starting Up". And then I get a big blue screen of death.

Also tried to run the self-extracting Guided Help program from Microsoft (307545.exe), but that looks like it installs itself and then says,"Guided help cannot be downloaded right now." I tried that a lot of times.

I have seen some manual instructions on what needs to be done, but they assume that you can get to the Recovery Console. I don't believe that I can.

I can, however get on the drive when it's connected to a different computer as a slave drive. Any suggestions would be great. I might even consider throwing the thing in the garbage as a positive suggestion!!!

Thanks

<<...but they assume that you can get to the Recovery Console. I don't believe that I can...>>

Why not? Is your disk clean? Is it damaged?

Typically, the error you reported is a registry problem.

C0000218 Registry File Failure - http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_stop.htm

Corrupted Registry, Config.sys Missing or Corrupt - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

Corrupted Registry - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic205375.html

In any case...you can download the XP Recovery Console and burn it to disk, following the instructions at How to Create a Bootable XP Recovery Console CD - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html.

You would then be able to follow the suggestions provided in the links above.

I would be concerned about the error you report when attempting your repair. IMO, that could indicate a hardware problem possibility, hard to tell since you provided no info on the BSOD.

Louis

Thanks for the quick reply!!!

It keeps freezing during Windows setup with the recovery disk I just created. It froze on:

Setup is loading files (PCMCIA Support)...

It freezes at different spots during this process all the time. Is it possible that there's a hardware problem also? Just a thought.

edit:

this time it got to:

Setup is loading files (PCI Bus Driver)... and then it gave me a

TRAP 00000006====================== EXCEPTION ========================

TR=0028 CR0=80000011 CR2=00000000 CR3=00039000
gdt limit=03FF base=0003F000 idt limit=07FF base=0003F400


ect...

This post has been edited by jwmghf: 09 June 2010 - 09:25 AM

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/329903

Inability to use the XP Recovery Console to attempt any file repair...pretty much points the way for me.

I would try running chkdsk /r on the drive...from another system, with your hard drive connected as a secondary. After doing that, I would try the XP Recovery Console CD again.

FWIW: I've never had any luck resolving this error by any of the suggested solutions...I resort to a clean install of XP.

Louis

This post has been edited by hamluis: 09 June 2010 - 09:48 AM