[fescobar]

Please help me. One night I went to sleep and my PC was working fine and then the next morning I get the msg:

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

I've been browsing web site and I'm SO confused on how to fix it.

This is what I tried so far:

I tried hitting F8 and restoring to the last working time, but nothing happened.

I tried the information I found at: http://support.micro...n-us;307545#kb2

BUT it never asks me for my administrator password and then when I get to the Recovery Console prompt I try entering the commands they have I get "Access Denied".

What should I do NOW??? I dont want to lose my data on my PC!

I've seen some stuff about chkdsk? Should I try this? What is the command?

PLEASE HELP! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!

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Hello fescobar...

Boot to the command prompt in Recovery Console. At the prompt, type chkdsk /r (Note the space before /r) and press "Enter". It may tell you the volume is in use and ask if you want to run it on the next boot...type Y and press "Enter". Reboot. This is a long test...be patient.

wannabe1

[wannabe1]

Hello fescobar...

Boot to the command prompt in Recovery Console. At the prompt, type chkdsk /r (Note the space before /r) and press "Enter". It may tell you the volume is in use and ask if you want to run it on the next boot...type Y and press "Enter". Reboot. This is a long test...be patient.

wannabe1

[fescobar]

Thanks wannabe1 for the advise. I am at the office now, but will try it tonight when I get home and post you tomorrow on the update!

[fescobar]

Hi

I tried the chkdsk /r last night. It took a LONG time, but it finally came back. It seemed to still be giving me the same problem, but then I went back into the Recovery Console Program and it acted differently there so I was going to try the steps in
http://support.micro...n-us;307545#kb2

Previously, it would just give me a prompt and give me the error "Access Denied" for any command I typed.

But now it asks me to choose the installation I want to access. And then it prompts me for the Administrator password.

All good, BUT I dont remember my administrator password. Is there away around this? What can I do? I'm going to try to look for the piece of paper where I wrote it down this weekend, but what if I never find it?

How do I get past this point now?

[wannabe1]

When you see the prompt for administrator password, leave it blank and press "Enter".

[fescobar]

I tried that. When prompted for Administrator Password I just hit Enter but it said invalid password. Should I put a space and then Enter?

Or what else should I try?

Thanks!

[wannabe1]

Try these...

• admin
• administrator
• password

Have you always owned this machine or was it purchased used?

[fescobar]

I am at work now, but I will try those when I go home tonight and let you know what happens.

I've always owned this machine. Its a Dell desktop which I purchased about 15 months ago.

Edited by fescobar, 10 March 2006 - 08:45 AM.

[fescobar]

Hello there...Sorry for the delay in reply, but as my PC is not working I have to wait until I have an opportunity at my work office to reply to the forum.

I tried to the passwords you suggested, but all came up as invalid. I was the original owner of the PC, if I did change the admin password for some reason, I probably wrote it down, but lost it during a house move that I went through last year.

What else do you suggest? Can I get around the admin password?

Thanks,
Frank

[fescobar]

I found this site. Should I try this?

http://pubs.logicale...icle.asp?ID=305

Do you think it is safe or will I lose data and mess things up even more?

Ugh...please help! :-(

[dsenette]

i read over those steps and you SHOULDN"T lose any data....if anything it may wipe out any recent windows updates..

[fescobar]

Thank you. I will try it this evening and let you know tomorrow. Wish Me Luck!