XP Corrupted config

Hi

I Started up my machine and got this error message -- "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" . Checked out the Microsoft trouble shooting site but I'm still completely lost as what to do. Would really appreiciate any help. (Using Windows XP professional.)

Thank You.

 

Do you have your Windows XP disc?

 

I have a XP Home Edition disc,(Xp professional is Installed) can that be used ?

 

Yes, for this little fix it can, nothing else though.

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD Drive. Make sure your CD-ROM is set to first boot.
   
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
   
3. Select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console. In your case it should be C:\WINNT
   
4. When you are prompted to do so, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
   
5. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
   • md tmp
     
   • copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
     (If you get an error after pressing enter, just procede)
     
   • copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
     (You should get message 1 file copied)
   • Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.
6. After you complete the above, reboot and see if the error still comes up, if it does let me know!

 

Hey,

Thanks A Lots ! It started up fine on restart.

You're a life saver!

 

Glad it worked.

 

Note all Services(3rd party Antivirus/Firewall) and Drivers installed after the initial install is lost by the above operation (Or at least their settings).

Might want to consider using a Restore Point after the operation.

 

If things are running well, then there isnt any problem with this fix. If you suspect anything is wrong, check device manager and make sure no driver is missing. Everything else should be fine as I recently did this fix.