Computer says System file is missing or corrupt, won't boot

[bovinda]

1. Overview of the problem
   After a BSOD, computer won't get past "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CCONFIG\SYSTEM"
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   As above. Safe mode won't do it either. The BSOD was unprovoked, as far as I can tell (just suddenly occurred).
   
3. I already tried these steps:
   Tried safe mode, it gets to "multi(0)disk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\system32\config\system.log and stops, giving the error message as above. "Restore system to last known configuration" doesn't work either.
   
   Tried putting in my OEM XP MCE 2005 CD to do a repair install, but it doesn't recognize my drive partitions. (When similar things have happened before, I had to install SATA drivers first via a floppy disc. Only thing is, I no longer have said floppy.)
   
   Tried making a Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows CD, but it stops at a point saying that a file "neu2menu.exe" from "Joshua's shell" can't be found. Did I do something wrong there?
   
   Not sure what else to try!
   
4. My software:
   OS: XP MCE 2005
   
5. My hardware
   This was a prebuilt ABS system from 2004. I'm not totally sure of the hardware. I'll try to find out and post back. The hard drives are Seagate SATA drives (like 120 GB each).
   
6. Other information that might be relevant
   All help and suggestions are greatly appreciated! I've had similar things happen with this computer in the past and was able to use a UBCD4Win boot CD to get in and do a system restore, which got it working again. But I can't seem to get that to work.
   
   Thanks guys...I really appreciate any and all help!

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[Tarrant64]

I can say if you want to at least backup your files, a Knoppix/Ubuntu Live boot CD should get you into the file system.

 

[bovinda]

Would it let me get into the System Restore menu so I can restore to the last restore point?

 

[masteryoda34]

WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM is part of the registry. There is a way you can do a manual system restore to fix it, but I forgot how. I have had this problem myself and have fixed it without reformatting though.

 

[bovinda]

I found a link saying you can do a manual restore if you boot into safe mode with command prompt, but after trying that I find I still get the same error (I'm unable to get to safe mode with command prompt either, it seems).

 

[masteryoda34]

You'll probably have to do the manual restore from a live CD like BartPE or ERD Commander, or a linux distro.

 

[bovinda]

Yeah...I'll try making the UBCD4Win one more time (it's worked for me in the past), then if that doesn't work, I'll give those others you suggest a try...I'm not familiar with the ERD Commander or Linux at all, can you recommend what you'd use first?

 

[masteryoda34]

Originally posted by: bovinda
I'm not familiar with the ERD Commander or Linux at all, can you recommend what you'd use first?

ERD Commander. I'm not sure if its free though. A computer repair shop I worked at used it.

 

[bovinda]

Ended up making a UBCD4Win DVD that ran correctly this time, and it worked. I was able to restore the registry and start the computer up. Thanks for the help!

 

[bovinda]

Edit: my first double post! How did it happen???