file missing - windows\system32\config\system

[poisonthewell]

Running XP home for a full year now without any problems whatsoever. Started up my machine today to the following error:

Windows/System32/Config/System file missing or corrupt

Googled the problem, came upon this article and followed the instructions. I verified that the system file does not exist and ran the following command using the XP recovery from cd:

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

After rebooting I am unable to get into Windows using safe mode - once I select safe mode and the drivers start scrolling down the screen it locks up. When the machine boots it runs continual checkdisks, and if I bypass that it locks up.

Now when I try to get back into the recovery console it prompts me for an Admin PW - I have the admin account setup for Windows and that PW does not work, nor does leaving the PW blank and hitting enter. I can't access Windows recovery any longer and it kicks me out after 3 bad PW attempts.

I just put my spare HDD in a modded XBOX so I don't have a way to access this HDD externally. I am at a brick wall without a sledgehammer. If anyone has advice please reply!!

 

[SunnyD]

The same question gets asked over and over again...

 

[poisonthewell]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
The same question gets asked over and over again...

Please read my entire explanation. I fail to see how the information in that thread will help me do anything . . . I cannot access any tools in order to fix the issue.

 

[Slowlearner]

I had the exact same problem on one of my home computers and I was getting ready to do a repair install on it. However, before doing that I thought to myself that a chkdsk should fix the problem. Burnt a UBCD for Windows iso, rebooted the the faulty pc, got into bios and changed the boot order to Cd first, started up UBCD and used chkdsk under disk tools to check the hd - that took care of the problem. Ran a full set of WD diagnostics and defrag later this weekend and all seems well.

 

[poisonthewell]

I ran a chkdsk the first time I was able to access the recovery console and it did not address the issue. I just created a bootable cd (from here in case anyone else needs one) and will see what I can do . . .

 

[Slowlearner]

Bart's PE should do, UBCD for Windows is based on Bart's PE. Try it and it should work.