Boot Sector Didn't Die...But something else happened...

We tried to turn off the computer to run the WDClear application to check the disk. To our amazement, the computer was able to boot back up again. So we ran the utility to check. The drive is 100% OK. We ran the computer, turning it ON and OFF for the next few days. It worked all up to this morning, when everything died.

Here is the problem this time:

Code:

[FONT=System]
Windows could not start because the following file is missing
or corrupt:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair the file by starting Windows Setup
using the original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.[/FONT]

I used the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD-ROM to attempt to repair, but I could not find a command to repair the file \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, which, I assume, is the system configuration file.

Then I tried the WDClear application again, and it said, yet again, that my drive was perfectly fine.

So I guess I need to repair the file...How do I do this?

~Thanks! I hope you had a great holiday!

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545

 

The link Doug posted gives you very good information on the possible causes and how to deal with it.

My input was for WDClear utility: it is a basic HardDrive diagnostic/Low-level format utility. It can be used to diagnose the Drive for read/write errors caused by bad sectors or some other physical damage that could cause operating system and application errors/crashes. If the utility checks out ok but the errors could remain, either due to a file system damage by a virial infection or some other application and certain sectors might become hard or impossible to read/access by the Operating System thus resulting in a 'bad sector' labeling by the OS even though in reality the pshysical condition of the Drive is fine....if you have experienced any system crash or freeze previously the reasons could be originated by PSU or even RAM too.

 

The system doesn't crash...The boot sector usually dies.


I am following the directions from the site.

When I try to copy a file

Ex: copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak

It comes back and says, "The file couldn't be copied."

~

 

Hi Yzaraf, not that I am challenging your knowledge but what makes you think the boot sector dies? Explain to us what happens scene by scene from a few minutes to the point of %@$&, ok?
Also are you following the instructions carfully? at the very first line did you notice the 'md temp' (which mean Make/create a Directory name 'temp')?
DOS is unforgiving, you have to be 100% accurate with the commands and parameters, spaces, periods, file names (with their extensions if applicable) are all very important....if the BIOS sees the drive, WDClear diagnose showed fine and you are indeed following all the instructions with 100% accuracy...my only other guess would be: RAM (as odd as it may sound).
But review what I wrote at the beginning and repost.

 

Yet again I am proposing that there is some miscommunication between the two of us. The boot sector usually does die, as the system tells me so everytime it crashes. Except THIS time, it didn't do that when it died. It complains that the system configuration file is corrupted.


But here you go step by step:

Symptoms are:

--Microsoft Word slows down drastically
--Ad-aware hangs while deep-scanning the system32 directory


What happens:

--Everything is fine
--Symptoms occur
--Turn off
--Turn on
--(*USUALLY*)Computer complains that something is wrong with the boot sector
--(*BUT THIS TIME*) Windows could not start because the following file is missing
or corrupt:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

You can attempt to repair the file by starting Windows Setup
using the original Setup CD-ROM.
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair.

What I did:

--md Temp
--Attempted to copy (5 times)
--Tested other files (worked)
--Skipped the backing up and replaced the files with the ones from the repair
--IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!


Well thanks for your help...

Im still trying to figure out why I couldn't backup the files...


If I have any other problems I'll let you know.


Thanks for everything!

 

No problem, I jus wanted to make sure you were following the instructions given on the site the TheDoug provided (so he deserves the credit for the link).
Anyhow I am glad it is fixed but keep an eye on the system and I would make a backup of all your important files/program configurations/password you might have on this PC (just in case).