Missing \Windows\System32\Config\System

[imported_trajan]

I started up my laptop this morning after the Dell bios screen flashed, I got a black screen.

"\Windows\System32\Config\System is missing or corrupt."
It then suggests that I can use my original boot CD, run the Repair Console, and fix the problem that way.

This is Windows XP Pro and I have the install disk, etc.

I sucessfully loaded up the Repair Console using the CD but am clueless about what to do next. I found a list of commands but I'm not advanced enough to figure it out. Can anyone help? Please?? I am so worried I'm going to have to completely reinstall the system, which would be particularly unfortunate since I'm planning on getting a new laptop in the next month. Don't want to have to go through set up twice in so short a time!

ED: just as a confusing side note, I booted the computer up using Knoppix (a linux system) on a CD, after installing an extra copy of XP Pro from the same disk. I tried copying the new System file to the old one, but surprisingly I got an error, "could not delete System". How its write protected I dont know.

The only clue I have is that when I ran a full diagnostic on the system, I had a single bad block on my HD. Could that be the problem?

 

[mechBgon]

This may help: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

The cause can sometimes be malware. Thinking back, do you have any reasons to suspect that could've been the cause? Opened a weird email or visited a website that did something unusual or ???

 

[imported_trajan]

Thanks for the tip! That link helped a lot. For some reason I still wasn't able to copy the 'system' file but I was, this time, able to delete it. I replaced just that file, restarted, and so far things look good, although some of my system defaults were killed.

I can't think of anything I did in terms of malware / spyware entry opportunities, programs installed, etc. My laptop has been physically falling apart (cracked case/frame) for awhile now so I figured it was something more serious. I just want it to survive a few more weeks until I pick out a replacement and it arrives.

Thanks again!

 

[mechBgon]

that's good news then :thumbsup:

 

[redbeard1]

Old AT post

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: trajan
I started up my laptop this morning after the Dell bios screen flashed, I got a black screen.

"\Windows\System32\Config\System is missing or corrupt."
It then suggests that I can use my original boot CD, run the Repair Console, and fix the problem that way.

This is Windows XP Pro and I have the install disk, etc.

I sucessfully loaded up the Repair Console using the CD but am clueless about what to do next. I found a list of commands but I'm not advanced enough to figure it out. Can anyone help? Please?? I am so worried I'm going to have to completely reinstall the system, which would be particularly unfortunate since I'm planning on getting a new laptop in the next month. Don't want to have to go through set up twice in so short a time!

ED: just as a confusing side note, I booted the computer up using Knoppix (a linux system) on a CD, after installing an extra copy of XP Pro from the same disk. I tried copying the new System file to the old one, but surprisingly I got an error, "could not delete System". How its write protected I dont know.

The only clue I have is that when I ran a full diagnostic on the system, I had a single bad block on my HD. Could that be the problem?

IMHO, yes.

The problem might return... Not necessarily with the same file...

Try to defragment the drive and check the Event Viewer for messages.

But if all you need is a few weeks, you should be OK.

I would back-up all the important files, though.

Good luck!

 

[Laputa]

Replace the drive if it's getting old or you bump the laptop a lot.