[XP SP2] Missing C:/WINDOWS/system32/config ????

[Jack31081]

I was attempting an overclock, and after setting everything up in BIOS, I restarted, but got an error after POST saying that the file C:/WINDOWS/system32/config was missing or corrupt. I restarted the computer, and it booted up fine. I did get a message saying a corrupt registry entry was recovered, something along those lines.

I figured it had to do with the overclock, so I reset to undo the settings, but got the same error when I restarted again. Upon another reboot, I got the same error. No recovery this time. The message suggested I use the XP CD to repair the windows installation. So I did that, opened up the recovery console, and checked out the supposedly missing or corrupt file.

Well, it's there, but it's reading '0' for file size. So it seems it's corrupt, but how do I replace the file? I really don't want to go through a format and a reinstall.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[MisterESauce]

boot from the windows cd and act as if you're going to install windows again and about the time you chose where to install it will be an option to "repair a windows install" or something along those lines. do that and it will go through and replace all your system files but keep all your settings the same. may be a bit overkill but i don't know how else to get that file...