System File is Corrupt - wont boot

[Dthind]

I had a short in an electrical outlet earlier today, and it powered off all my computers. One of them is not doing so well now.

It boots to bios, then I get the following error (in a text prompt)

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt

\windows\system32\config\system

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup uding the original Setup CD-Rom
Select'r' at the first screen to start repair

All this does is eventually get me to the dos prompt, but then what do I do ?

chkdsk /p doesnt fix anything, and there are no file extensions, and I cant edit the file, so now what ?

 

[nukexbi]

I have used the process here on several occasions when getting that error message.
Recover Corrupt Registry

It is a long process but it goes quickly if you make batch files.
I have found that it sometimes "breaks" the System Restore feature, but at least at that point the computer is up and running. If this happens, you can't complete Part 4, but you will otherwise have a working system.

READ the process carefuly. There are a few little tricks in there that are easy to miss, like the need to add permisions.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dthind]

nukexbi

Thanks, that is a solid find for help.

I forgot to mention i have a shuttle sn95g5, with no fdd.

Ouch.

I am running chkdsk /r and hope that finds something, if not I probably have to re-bake the box.