Help with copying & recovering registry

So I have this pc that keeps saying "Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM". Done chkdsk about 5x and was able to log into windows. Did a disk defrag and cleanup and it reverted back the above mentioned error. So I found this article http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545 but when I try to copy the "system" to a tmp folder it says it did not copy.

Is this a problem for what I am trying to do here?

 

Those are difficult instructions to follow. Make sure you have the syntax exactly right. Did the error give any other information such as file not found?

Try dir c:\windows\system32\config\system at the command prompt to verify that the system file exists. It should come back with repeating the file name and its size. If it finds the file then try your copy command again making sure you have it exactly right.

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My guess is your hard drive is going bad. That chkdsk got you running and then degragging (moving file locations on disc) messed you up again points to an important system file being on a bad section of the HD.

EDIT: I would try this before anything else: You could try F8 at during the BIOS screen to get to safe mode options and try Last Known Good Configuration which should essentially automate the attempt to get a working copy of the SYSTEM file.

 

Ok so 2 things:

1 I tried the dir syntax and it did find the dir. I then tried to copy and it simply said it did not copy the file. no other info on why it did not copy it.

2 I was able to log into "last known good config"

I am going to run a diagnostic on the HDD. Will post my results. I believe you may be right. Even in cmd it is very hesitant and chkdsk does take quite some time to run..

 

While you are still in the working XP create a new System Restore point. That makes fresh copies of those five files the manual instructions try to copy.

As for the HD diagnostic, go with the manufacturer's software. With a 1TB drive it is probably either Western Digital or Seagate. I know WD's extended test tries to fix errors, I am unsure about Seagate.

 

Actually its a Toshiba 80 GB. This is a Dell inspiron 1501 that I am having the issue with. I am looking for a utility for it now.

 

If you are still looking: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287#toshiba

 

Ok Not sure what I'm doing wrong here but I folow the link and I get the program opened up. Click on extended test and it asks me to select a target drive to test. The drive is listed in the "drive information" but the "test information" just shows blanks like this (----) for the model, serial, and firm. But like I said it is listed in the drive information :confused

 

UPDATE: I used Hiren's boot CD and it states the disk has failed all the tests. Looks like I'll be replacing a HDD.

EDIT: How is it possible to boot from a HDD that failed ALL tests???

 

I thought I saw a similar problem with one manufacturer's not long ago but can't remember the outcome.

I really can't come up with generic diagnostic program. Maybe someone has one to suggest?

I take it the short test passed? SMART status is good?

 

I think the software tests basically try to read information from random sectors of the HD. Too many problems reading random sectors and the HD gets a failing result on the tests.
As long as files necessary to boot are in sectors that can still be read the OS can boot. So your HD right now can boot. But, if one of your registry files changes and the change is written to a bad sector, suddenly that registry file is corrupt and keeps the whole OS from booting. Since files are written and changed all the time, the OS is unstable on that hard drive. Not worth the trouble.

I think as long as there isn't physical damage (the platters won't spin) a failing HD will still work but not good enough for an OS. After replacing you can always low level format the bad HD and use it for data files that aren't so critical as OS system files.

 

Ok thanks for the help. That would explain why I wasnt able to copy the file and why defrag caused it to not boot. I guess I'll back up the info and install a new drive.

Thanks for the help!

 

Your welcome.

If you have problems copying anything important from within XP, you can always boot from Hiren's and try from there. Linux CDs also tend to be very good at getting data off a drive even when Windows refuses to copy.

Good Luck!