Total Windows Crash *Urgent*

[dreamtfk]

Here's the deal last night was just listening to mp3's in Winamp when my whole system froze and rebooted. I then receive the following message

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt

\windows\system32\config\system

Attempt to repair this file by starting from the WindowsXP cd and using the recovery console.

Now anyone thats used this recovery console knows how it is dos based and not too user friendly. My question is how do I pull this \system file off the cd and overwrite the corrupt or missing one?

This exact same thing happened a few weeks ago and I just reinstalled windows but it was a major pain in the ass and I don't know why it's happening. I only have till 5 to use this computer at work so any help is greatly appreciated, I have school work that must be completed.

[Cyberwiz01]

You instead of using the reapair console, go through like if you are going to install a fresh installation of windows, when you get the to point where it asks you which partition you want to install to select the one you have windows XP on. It should detect that you have windows xp installed and it will ask you if you want to try to repair it. Repair it, and it will go through what looks like a normal installation of XP. That should take care of it and all your data and programs should be in tact. Oh and one more thing, if it asks you if you want to format, don't just select leave it as it is.

[powerme]

Originally posted by dreamtfk
[BMy question is how do I pull this \system file off the cd and overwrite the corrupt or missing one?

[/B]

when you are in the recovery console, use "expand" command to extract a file from a CD to a specified directory

if you want to learn more about "expand" command, type "expand /?"

this should take care your problem

don't forget to go to microsoft knowledge base to find out more about this particular problem because i have seen your problem show up in microsoft knowledge base

[dreamtfk]

Ok I found a handy little website about WinXP problems. Here's the link that told me how to solve this problem
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

But now upon recopying the file and rebooting I am receiving message telling me that Windows did not start up properly on the last attempt and it gives me options for safe mode and also the option to use a restore point for the last known "good" configuration.

I tried the last good configuration and right before my desktop shows up the computer restarts. Same thing if I try using safe mode. Any ideas? I'm gonna look around the web some more see if I can find any more info.

[powerme]

put winxp setup CD and choose recovery console

and follow the instruction to solve your problem

if you decide to install recovery console, i sugest you do that when you are on desktop

the command is

cd drom:\I386\winnt32.EXE /cmdcons

when you are done, you should see a boot menu when you restart your computer every time. It is very handy

[dreamtfk]

I think I've got a corrupt registry. :(

I found a tutorial on recovering froma corrupt registry on the miscrosoft knowledge base unfortunately it's a long process.

[powerme]

the solution for your problem is

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

hope it help

[dreamtfk]

Yep that's the one. I'm gonna give it a go when I get home from work, thx.

[powerme]

OK, i'm glad to help you

[dreamtfk]

Just following up. That guide worked like a charm. Alot of repetitive typing but very easy to do, only took about half hour. Once the registry was replaced with a clean one and the old one deleted I was able to use system restore. Back to the way it was!

[powerme]

hey dreamtfk,

i'm glad that i can help you but i will OFFER you 1 more TIP so that you won't have to type all of these when you have this problem in the future


open you notepad and type all these commands and save it as a txt file

don't forget to install recovery console as i showed you how to do above

when you are in recovery console, use "batch" command and tell it to point to txt file and BAM you are done

FAST and EASY way

if you want to learn more how to use "batch" command, type "batch/?" in recovery console

[dreamtfk]

Yeh I read about that but hopefully I don't have to do this again. I can type at a pretty decent speed anyhow.