Windows XP corrupt and no repair option

[deweylewie]

I had a BSOD earlier and when I rebooted I had an error saying that \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM was corrupt or missing. I understand that this is one part of the registry. It says to run the winxp install disc and press 'r' at the first screen to attempt a repair.

Pressing r gives the repair command line, but from reading a few sites it seems there is a way for windows to repair itself using this method http://www.microsoft.com/windo...nmore/tips/doug92.mspx

The problem is that the screen I was expecting to see (step 5) doesn't show up, it just asks me to select a partition (I have 2). The next screen is the install one and asks if I really want to install and wipe my data etc.

I have a legitimate WinXP Pro cd and am wondering if the reason I don't have an option to repair (reinstall repair, not repair command line) is because I have an OEM disc? Or perhaps the registry is just too corrupt to fix using this method?

Thanks

 

[boomerang]

That link you have is the way to do it. Those instruction specifically state to not press R when first presented with it. Those instructions are correct.

Are you sure you are following the directions in the link or are you choosing the first R you are presented with?

A repair install will not wipe your data or change your settings. A repair install will put your system back to the state of the disk you have. In others words, any Windows updates installed since the pressing of that disk will have to be restored.

A repair install is not entirely without risk. Having said that, I have done many with no adverse consequences. One should always have important data backed up. If you do, you will have little to fear except a possible loss of time by performing a repair install.

BTW, the repair install looks rather scary. It gives every appearance of being a fresh install. It can be a white-knuckle experience the first time you do one.

Welcome to the Forums!!!

 

[AnnonUSA]

There is a way to repair this without reinstall.... I have done it a number of times.....Search Microsoft's knowledgebase for the exact error and you will find a document detailing the repair.... You can usually recover in less that 20 minutes....without losing anything....

 

[deweylewie]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I am sure I am following the directions. It goes straight from the license agreement to this Image. I took that from google, but mine looks similar, it has both my partitions on.

I'm still unsure why the repair option isn't coming up. Is it because I have XP Pro or maybe because it's an OEM disc? This site says it could be because my disc version and installed version don't match. Well, my disc (bought in 2004) "Includes Service Pack 1a" and my hdd has SP2 on it. Does this constitute a mismatch version?


AnnonUSA is this the guide you mean? here. It says in the second paragraph not to use the procedure if "you have an oem-installed operating system". Well, I self-built my PC and am using the OEM disc.Is that what it's referring to?

Thanks

 

[boomerang]

I'm going to be honest and tell you that you are getting into a grey area regarding my knowledge. I've yet to see a system that I could not get into the Repair option. But read on.

From what I've read, your current install may be so damaged that this is why you are not seeing the repair option.

Take a look at this site for some things to try in this case. Take a look at the whole page for an overview.

IMO, the problem you are experiencing at the moment is not because of an OEM disk, it's because your XP install is damaged. Put those thoughts out of your mind as I feel they are clouding the issue. That site is referring to trying to use for example, a Pro disk to repair a Home install or vice versa I believe.

I'd like to throw out some food for thought. What damaged your XP install? You may have a hardware problem, in fact I'd bet you do. Now, you may get it up and running using the method at the site I linked to, but afterwards my top priority would be to back up important data and start checking for a hardware problem. You could have a severe malware infection also.

Edit: Here's a sentence that gives me concern in the following link that you referenced. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

When you have finished this procedure, a registry is created that you can use to start Windows XP. This registry was created and saved during the initial setup of Windows XP. Therefore any changes and settings that occurred after the Setup program was finished are lost.

In other words, you're back to square one. I think you'd want to avoid that if possible.

 

[deweylewie]

I'm pretty sure the BSOD and corrupt registry are because of some bad RAM I recently installed. I had some Crucial Ballistix which gave up on me after 18 months (1 stick just wouldn't boot at 2.2v stock speed and timing) which was replaced with the newer 2.0v stuff. The replacement would only boot at SPD timings (5, 5, 5, 15) and stock speed, going down to 4, 4, 4, 12 or whatever it's advertised at meant it wouldn't even POST.

I'm going to try the manual registry backup method in the MS KB article. I have a backup of my docs and desktop from the 13th of dec so I shouldnt lose much stuff.

Wish me luck

 

[boomerang]

I've been editing like a madman, you may want to check them out.

Good Luck!!

 

[deweylewie]

Yes it seems like it reverts back to how the machine was when it was first installed. In the paragrah before your highlight it says "When you finish this procedure, the system returns to a state very close to the state before the problem occurred. "

It's slightly conflicting to say the least!

As I understand it, I will be replacing my registry with one created when I first installed windows, which allows me to boot up. I then copy out my system restore backed up registry to my windows directory (temporarily) and shut down again. Now, back using the restore console (which has no access to system restore, which is why I had to boot up into windows and move my sys restore registry around)) I overwrite the registry again with my old backup from (hopefully) not too long ago.

I've jsut read about UBCD4WIN which has a registry backup wizard and it looks like it can do this automatically, there's also MS's guided help? I think i'l rather do it manually anyway

 

[deweylewie]

I started following the guide trying to copy c:\windows\system32\config\system and it said something about folder enumeration and it can't access the file.
I did a chkdsk which said there were errors, then did a chkdsk /R and after a long wait it got to around 75% before dropping back to 50%. It finally finished and it appears to have fixed it. I could access all my registry files from the repair command line and have just booted it and it seems like its back to normal.

So it seems the data wasn't corrupt, maybe just misplaced? Either way I think i'll do a virus scan, a longer memory test and start backing stuff up. Is there any way I can check everything is still good? Any file integrity checks or do I assume since I can boot that everything is good?

Thank you both for your help. I'm glad I didnt rush in and start deleting stuff. It looks like i've been very lucky

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: deweylewie
I started following the guide trying to copy c:\windows\system32\config\system and it said something about folder enumeration and it can't access the file.
I did a chkdsk which said there were errors, then did a chkdsk /R and after a long wait it got to around 75% before dropping back to 50%. It finally finished and it appears to have fixed it. I could access all my registry files from the repair command line and have just booted it and it seems like its back to normal.

So it seems the data wasn't corrupt, maybe just misplaced? Either way I think i'll do a virus scan, a longer memory test and start backing stuff up. Is there any way I can check everything is still good? Any file integrity checks or do I assume since I can boot that everything is good?

Thank you both for your help. I'm glad I didnt rush in and start deleting stuff. It looks like i've been very lucky

You've got bad sectors on that Hard Drive. You'll need to deal with that, but I think you already know that. I know of no utility that will do what you're asking, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

 

[deweylewie]

Actually i'm not that familiar with hard drives. I ran an error-check (rmb on drive c, properties, tools tab) and after a few minutes it said "windows was unable to complete the disk check". I then ran an error scan using HD Tune which is all green. How else would I detect bad sectors? My HDD has made a chirping sound since I got it, probably a couple of times per day. When running the HD tune scan it made the sound 3 or 4 times within 1 min.

Which tool is best to retrieve SMART feedback? I'm not sure if it isn't reporting properly or turned off or something but HD Tune isn't telling me anything :/

 

[AnnonUSA]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED..... JUST DO IT.

Unless the Hard drive is truly bad, this will fix it... I have seen new Malware cause this error ....I have fixed it by using this KB Article.....Time to Repair - Average 25 Minutes.