Windows Nightmare

[wizard612]

Ok, I have a problem. When I turn on my computer I get:

/window/system32/config/system

is missing. I have an option to insert my windows CD and 'repair the file' or else I can't even get into XP. I don't have my disk anymore so what do I do? Also what could this be from? I recently installed a Netgear wireless B adapter into my PCI slot could it be driver conflicts? Could it be a virus? Thanks for the help.

 

[airfoil]

Try switching the adapter to another slot - and reinstall the drivers.

 

[Nocturnal]

You're going to have to do a chkdsk /r.

 

[thegorx]

check your hard drive just to be sure
then get either get a boot cd or connect your drive to another system and get a back up system hive from the System Volume Information registry snapshot folder.

chances are your system hive is corrupt and that all it takes to make your system not boot.

 

[P0ldy]

Could be a corrupt harddrive. Say you do get a 'clean' version of that file and put it in system32. Next time you boot up thinking it's all cleared up only to find that you're missing the next dll in the folder. The only option then becomes reinstalling Windows, and the install will last a day or two before it's hosed too. Had this happen recently on a 4 year old hdd.

 

[Red and black]

Best thread title!!!!!!!!!!! ever!!!!!

 

[2cpuminimum]

Gosh I thought from that topic name that they had announced the shipping title for windows Longhorn. Especially since you capitalized Nightmare.
New Windows Nightmare! Now with product activation once per day or else it initiates the thermal self destruct sequence hard coded into every Pentium IV as an undocumented bonus feature!

1. Remove last change and see if that helps (ie remove netgear wireless)
2. Try what they said^.
2.5 Restore to last fridays backup. You do make weekly backups of your entire system every friday, don't you?
3. Now is as good a time as ever to try knoppix or some other linux os until you can find/replace your system folder. Speaking of which, did it really ask for the whole /config/system folder or was there some particular file in there that it was complaining about. Usually when windows gripes to me it gripes about each individual file one at a time rather than griping about the whole folder at once. Is it possible someone renamed or moved the folder as a prank/by accident? That would be a really mean prank, but if someone else had access to your computer it's possible.
3.1 Next time try not to lose your system install disk, that's what backups are for. You can get a dvdburner for under fifty these days if you look hard enough. Of course, I don't have fifty dollars either, so I really can't blame you for not making backups.

 

[wizard612]

How do I run Checkdisk with no being able to get into windows? Also this is a new HD it is only 6 months old. It is a Hitachi SATA150 is this a common thing?

 

[nweaver]

To avoid the Windows Nightmare (tm)

go devil or penguin


To the OP, you really need to get your windows CD back from your Bro in law. And don't let him pirate your legally obtained copies anymore

 

[thegorx]

if Hitachi's hard drive dept is still being run like when it was part of IBM then yes .... it's common.

but personally I'd lean towards just a corrupt hive file
get fitness test and test the drive

Fitness Test

 

[mechBgon]

It also could be a virus, yes, there are ones that finish up by doing a TKO on some or all of the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory.