Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\S

i wanted to upgrade my ram and i put the new ram in..when i started up it seemed like the comp was fine as the desktop showed up but it was taking extremely long to load..i then restarted..when i started back up the error came saying "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" i tried the last good config thing and it didnt work so please dont tell me to do that..also please dont send me the link to the extremely long and confusing microsoft link because i have no clue what anything there means. If somebody could please tell me simple easy directions on how i can solve this issue it would be great.
thanks

 

First you might have some bad memory, you can try moving it to a different slot sometimes that will work. Or just reinstall the old memory. You can try booting up with a linux livecd and see if that loads properly (the linux livecd is an operating system that runs from the cd, but it will use all your computers hardware except the hard drive) that's how I test my hardware.

The problem you encounter "file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" that was cause by the abnormal shutdown. Once you ascertain that your memory is good you can fix this problem. You need either a windows installation cd or preferably a bartpe bootcd. You need one of these bootcd's to bootup your computer and type the following command chkdsk c: /f this will fix the corrupted system files on your hard drive, it will fix your problem 95 percent of the time.

Your problem is easy to fix, I've encountered it several times and the chkdsk has always fixed it.

 

thanks a lot for ur time
I originally had just one memory in and the comp worked fine with taht ..i then tried the new one and it did boot up the first time but i shut the comp off bc nothing was loading..since then i removed thenew memmory and i get the error...where can i find these boot cds? and once i do get them..how will i enter command? there are different boot disks that microsoft shows but i dont know exactly which one i need.
thanks

 

The bootcd is the windows installation cd. It'll boot up and let you run the command from the "dos" screen.
A bartpe is a bootcd you can make using your windows installion cd. Takes about 15 minutes to make, it copys all the neccesay files from the installation cd. When it boots up, you get a screen that looks like windows and just use the "run" box to type in the command. Much better for repairing problems.
If you are using Vista, use the installation dvd and open a command prompt.
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+from+the+DVD

 

ok thanks..now where can i find these boot cd for download because i dont have my microsoft disc..i had windows xp not vista..what do i type in the "run" box?

 

for windows xp, you would have to borrow one from your friend. Your just using it to fix your computer.

An alternative way is to remove the drive, slave the drive in another computer and run a scandisk (with the boxes to fix errors checked) this the same as doing a chkdsk.

 

Hi tubacuba,

If the above does not work you could try this. I am directing you to a microsoft site (Keep reading Lol), instead of trying to follow the manual steps download the GUIDED HELP and run it. I purpously corrupted the registry on a Virtual machine a couple of days ago to try it out and it worked perfectly, the best bit for you is there is very little you have to do yourself, just sit back and watch.

You will still need a copy of any XP disc for this however.

 

ok..i managed to get my hands on a xp disc and i entered recovery console..i searched for many different commands online and some of them said access denied..also chkdsk stopped at around 26% and said the volume was unrecoverable..

how can i run the guided help on the comp..should i put it on a usb or disc or what? will it boot up on a disc?

 

my windows isn't able to even boot up..how would i be able to run guided help?

 

Since the chkdsk isn't working from the xp cd. You can try and make a bartpe now that you have a xp cd.

The bartpe software is free, you just need your xp installtion cd. It takes less than 30 minutes to make.

The bartpe has the command line to run a chkdsk but it also has the a43 file mangement utilitys. I ran into situations where one didn't work but the other would
directions using bartpe bootcd
Go/programs/a43 file management utilitys
Next rightclick on the C: partition/properties/tools/error checking
Right here you can run a scandisk (make sure both boxes are check to fix errors).

You need to try and get a good chkdsk or scandisk to complete on your drive. That's the least destructive repair to attempt, and in my situations with a corrupt drive it has always worked..

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

Hi tubacuba,

I suggest you try jonny218 method first as if you have a OEM installation on your PC, it does not work on all of them (this means if XP was custom installation by the manufacturer. Use this as your last resort. Good Luck Bud.

When you have downloaded the guided help you first run it on a working computer. it will then automatically create 2 txt files (and a read me file), and a exe file called guided_help.exe. Once it has done this you copy them all on a USB stick or CDR. Thats basically your hard work done.

You then boot into the recovery console and follow these simple instructions and let guided help do all the work for you. I have copied the guided help instructions below.

Guided Help to recover a corrupted registry
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

On the working computer, follow these steps:

1. Save the RegCopy1.txt and the RegCopy2.txt files to removable media.

2. Save the Guided_Help.exe file to removable media.

IMPORTANT The Guided_Help.exe file is created when you download Guided Help to run on another computer. If you did not download the Guided_Help.exe file, download Guided Help again, and then click "Another Computer" when you are prompted.

On the computer that has a corrupted registry, follow these steps:

3. Start Recovery Console. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive, and then restart the computer.

b. Select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD drive if you are prompted to.

c. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start Recovery Console.

d. Select the installation that you want to access from Recovery Console.

e. When you are prompted, type the administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.

4. Run "batch regcopy1.txt" from the removable media. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Type the drive letter of your removable media followed by a colon (for example, E, and then press ENTER.

b. Type "batch regcopy1.txt" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER (You should now be able to boot Windows).

5. Start Windows, and then log on as an administrator.

6. Run Guided_Help.exe from the removable media. Guided Help will try to copy a System Restore registry snapshot to the Windows\Tmp folder.

7. Start Recovery Console, and then run "batch regcopy2.txt" from the removable media. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Type the drive letter of your removable media followed by a colon (for example, E, and then press ENTER.

b. Type "batch regcopy2.txt" (without the quotation marks), and then press ENTER.

8. Start Windows, and then log on as an administrator.

9. Run Guided_Help.exe again to start System Restore. Then, restore the registry to a recent restore point that was created before the registry became corrupted.

 

in recovery console..when i try to type batch regcopy1.txt it says the file cannot be opened under drive C..im not sure exactly which one my cd drive is so i tried it under drives D, E and F and they all say the "The system cannot find the file or directory specified." my computer is fairly old and it has the two cd drives..I have the cd inserted in the bottom drive with the windows xp cd in the top.. also it never asked me to type any administrator passwords so maybe that may be the problem..when i type md tmp it says Access is denied

 

Hi tubacuba,

Just so i am clear, could you answer the following

1-Did you run the guided hlep on another computer and did it create the 2 files regcopy1.txt and regcopy2.txt as well as Guided_Help.exe?

2- Did you copy all 3 on a CD?

3- If you copied all three on a CD, did you put them in a folder on the CD or just copied them straight on?

 

1. yes i ran it on this computer and created the three files.

2. I copied all 3 onto a blank cd

3. I did not create a folder, but i put all the files straight on the CD

btw thanks for helping

 

I did not notice the bit at the end "when i type md tmp it says Access is denied". If we can not get in the console we will have to look at another option. This could be a problem if you have a OEM installation as mentioned previously.

If you as it looks like you did followed steps C,D+E correctly we may be out of luck.

If you type md test and it gives a access denied error it looks we are goosed.

Anyway, to find which drive is your CD, assuming you can navigate to them, type for example D: when it goes to D:, type dir
You will see the files when on right drive. If for some reason it does not see the other drive, take windows disk out and try that one as i believe recovery console will still run when loaded into memory.

If you can not use the console as may be the case, my other suggestion apart from fresh install (i know you dont own a disc) is to download Hiren Boot CD.
Just burn the ISO file you find in zip folder to a CD (copy image). Boot up to the CD and when you get option to boot to Hard drive, Boot CD or mini XP, choose Mini XP. when mini XP has booted, go to all programs and select ERD System Restore.Then rstore to a working date. It may however restore and loose your documents, so if they are important you would be wise to hook your drive to another PC and copy them across.

Good Luck.

 

Jodav,

Thanks for the step by step Guided Help instructions. I just downloaded the help tonight and ran it to install on another computer. It did not create the regcopy1 and regcopy2 files. Do I need to manually create these per the support article? Or is it possible that the guided help has been updated to run these after the file is executed. I am trying to help my computer challenged father remotely and want to be armed with as much info as possible before we make the attempt.

 

Hi stahara,

Have just checked it out and it looks like microsoft have updated it slightly as you say. It now looks like you just have to save the guided_help.exe and run it from your CD\floppy, i imagine it will then create the 2 files. if not you can manualy create them but i dont think that will be needed touch wood.

 

Jodav,
That's what I was thinking. We're gonna give it a try tonight. Again, thanks for posting your experience. It will help guide me.

 

Hope all goes well. If not just copy and paste the two text files from link, then follow the origional steps.

good Luck.