C:\windows\system32\config\system problems

kathie1101 · Member Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Points: 0

Hi

Hoping someone can help me. Left my pc on for a few hours (nothing running on it) came back to it and I had black screen saying C:\windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupt attempt to repair by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-ROM. I don't know exactly when the system crashed, but I have Norton Systemworks on this PC (I know it's crap!), and once a week it runs a scan for any registry problems amongst other things, and automatically fixes them if there are any. This scan was due to run about 1/2 an hour before I discovered that it had crashed. Whether the scan actually did run or not I don't know, and if it did run whether it caused the crash - again I don't know.

I found some instructions on the net for recovering the hive and I started to follow these. I got into the recovery console (Windows XP Pro) and followed the 1st part of the instructions:
md tmp
copy C:\windows\system32\config\system C:\windows\tmp\system.bak
delete C:windows\system32\config\system
copy C:\windows\repair\system C:\windows\system32\config\system

Then it said to try rebooting the system, if it didn't work then to try:
md tmp
copy C:\windows\system32\config\software
C:windows\tmp\software.bak
delete C:windows\system32\config\software
copy C:\windows\repair\software C:\windows\system32\config\software

After rebooting the PC, at 1st Windows appeared to be loading, but then it came up with the blue screen saying unknown hardware failure and code C00000218 and then gave me the options to try and boot in safe mode, last known good configuration etc - none of which work.

I was unable to follow the 2nd set of instructions because when I rebooted the pc and went into the recovery console it was now asking me for an administrators password - it hadn't asked me for one the 1st time I had gone into the recovery console. So now I am stuck in that I can't get into the recovery console!

I have managed to get all my documents and profiles off the pc using a linux live cd, so if I really have to then I will format the hard drive.

But I thought I would ask here 1st to see if there was anything else I could do before having to resort to doing that.

Thanks Kathie

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PartieHonteuse · Posted: Mon 04/28/2008 4:53pm [Post #2]

Did you check out our tutorial?

http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Windows/C%3A%5Cwindows %5Csystem32%5Cconfig%5Csystem_missing_or_corrupt.html

Partie

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kathie1101 · Member Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Points: 0

Hi Partie

Yep I've checked out your tutorial, but as I can't get into the recovery console any longer doing the system restore isn't an option for me. I can't do option 4 in the tutorial cos my hard drive is a SATA hard drive and my other pc doesn't have a connector on the motherboard for a SATA hard drive.

Kathie

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PartieHonteuse · Posted: Fri 05/02/2008 11:39am [Post #4]

Follow the other option on the tutorial that discusses using a Linux Live CD (Knoppix) or: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/ite m-details.asp?EdpNo=2329300&CatId=2785

Partie

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kathie1101 · Member Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Points: 0

Hi

I've got all my vital stuff off the pc using a linux live cd already, so thats ok. I could get one of those cables you mention, but probably reinstalling would probably be the easiest option. It would also give me the chance to repartition the hard drive, as I wasn't happy with the way I had it partitioned, and also clean up some of the crap.

Kathie

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PartieHonteuse · Posted: Fri 05/02/2008 9:32pm [Post #6]

Right on. Good luck and have fun!

Partie

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