PLEASE HELP! corrupt windows\system32\config\system file!

[MogyBear]

I just installed a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum sound card. I forgot to uninstall the Nvidia audio drivers, so i did that after. However, when I tried to reboot, it would show the windows boot up screen, but then just go black when it actually loads windows. I figured this was maybe a video card issue, so I switched the video card, and it worked. I then proceeded to uninstall the Nvidia audio driver again. Same problem happened on bootup. After switching video cards one more time, All that happened was before it loaded windows, it would say "Windows cannot load due to a corrupt or lost windows\system32\config\system file. You can try to repair this file with the Windows disk". I tried that, but I couldn't seem to get anywhere typing in commands in the repair section. I have switched video cards again, and tried some different hardware configurations, but it still has the same message! Does anyone know what I can do?!?!? Thank you!

 

[egale]

Remove the audigy card. Boot into the bios and disable the onboard sound. Boot from the cd and choose repair installation. If that does not work, do an install of XP over itself. And last, if nothing works, you may have to reformat.

Once you get the machine back, then you can install the audigy.

 

[MogyBear]

I already removed the audigy card. I went to the install screen and there was no option for a repair installation. I could go into the repair dialogue, but it would not let me copy the old registry file to back it up. So i plugged the HDD into another computer and copied some files, but I CANNOT COPY MY DOCUMENTS because it needs my Winxp logon password. Since I am logged on on the other drive, it is impossible to copy these files. I am going to try booting to DOS and copying the files from the corrupted drive to the other one... once I get the docs copied I am gonna do a clean install and partition it correctly. If anyone knows how I can get the files copied from the old drive to the one in the other computer, please let me know.

 

[rbV5]

If your documents aren't encrypted, you can get your files by simply taking ownership of the "Documents and Settings" Folder (or the whole drive for that matter) don't worry, all is not lost.

 

[MogyBear]

I don't understand how I can do that, though, since I am logged on on the other hard drive (the one that works)

 

[rbV5]

Are you using XP on the current PC?

 

[MogyBear]

Yes. When I go into user accounts, I can only edit the accounts that are on the working HDD.

 

[rbV5]

I'll walk you through it, hang tight.

 

[rbV5]

Open Explorer>Tools>Folder Options>View..scroll to the bottom> uncheck " Use simple file sharing (recommended)

With me so far?

ALSO: Make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is checked and "hide protected operating system files (recommended)" is unchecked <---important, you can change these back when you're done.

 

[MogyBear]

OK did that, and I still can't access my docs under my username.

 

[MogyBear]

I went into the settings and changed me to the owner, and it still says access denied....

 

[rbV5]

Right click on the "Documents and Settings" folder on the old drive>Properties>Security>IN "group or user names", make sure there is an adminstrator account from the working rig listed (add it if its not)>hit the advanced button for special permissions>Owner>It will show the current owner, down below should be an administrator account>Pick the account you want to switch ownership to>Check "replace owner on subcontainers and objects" >hit "apply"

Should have access now, if not LMK what it says...you'll get it.

 

[MogyBear]

Did it. Access denied. Damnit.

 

[MogyBear]

WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I did it! I did some special super advanced thing, past a step from what you said or something... I don't remember exactly. But THANK YOU rbV5 for leading me there! Couldn't have done it without you! Now I can reinstall XP and take the time to partition it correctly... what do you recommend for partition sizes? I am considering installing Linux in the future.. I have a 160GB hdd..

I was still getting some access denied messages in the subfolders, but I figured out to check the box that applies the new owner to all the folders. Thanks so much, man!

 

[rbV5]

I dunno, I use a single partition for my drive. Last time I installed Linux, I just installed into the same partiton as Windows and let it do its trick and used LILO for a bootloader..worked fine. I'd ask in the OS forum for a better answer there......nice job