[sheppardwk]

I came home from work and have the Windows XP could not start because the
following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM error.

Went to find help and found http://support.micro....com/?id=307545

Used the XP disk that came with my Dell. Changed the boot sequence and
pressed R at the recovery console. Prompted for admin password, don't have
one, so just pressed enter. C:\Windows is now the prompt.
Followed these instructions:

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

However when I type in the next line

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

I receive the following:
The system cannot find the file specified.

I then ran chkdsk /r and let it run overnight. This morning I did some more research and decided to look into the Repair file.

I changed the directory to C:\Windows\Repair and found system.bak.

copy c:\windows\repair\system.bak c:\windows\system32\config\system

I then proceeded with all of the other:

copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Typed Exit and tried to restart in Safe Mode. It appeared to start up, but then I received a blue screen indicating problems. Suggested running chkdsk /f.

STOP 0x0000007B (0xF7C9B524, oxC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Any ideas what I should do? Is there a way to use a system restore without being able to startup Windows?

If I can't repair the setup, I suppose my other option is to reinstall Windows XP over the existing. If I choose option 1 - Setup XP Windows, I am presented with three (3) partions. C: seems to be the one with Windows installed. What will I lose if I choose to reinstall Windows?

Thanks in advance.

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If you can get to a C prompt, you should be able to get to the restore utility.

It resides at, windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

You can get a boot disk at BOOT DISK.COM

[123Runner]

If you can get to a C prompt, you should be able to get to the restore utility.

It resides at, windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

You can get a boot disk at BOOT DISK.COM

[sheppardwk]

I have the Windows XP disk that came with my Dell. I have changed the boot process so that it can boot from the CD. I then can go into the Recovery Console where the prompt comes up:

C:\Windows

Is that the same as a BOOT DISK? Or do I need to obtain a Boot Disk?

Also, once I get to windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

What are my next procedures?

Thanks.

[123Runner]

Yes you can use the XP disk.

Once you get to windows\system32\restore, then type in "rstrui.exe" without the quotes and you will/ should get the utility.

[sheppardwk]

When I type rstrui, I receive the following:

The command is not recognized. Type Help for a list of supported commands.

[123Runner]

then type in "rstrui.exe" without the quotes

[sheppardwk]

Tried something else. I copied the system.bak from the TMP file, which was my original system file before following the procedures above. I copied it back to C:\Windows\System32\Config\System.

When it rebooted, it went to the Windows startup and indicated that there were errors the last time I tried to shutdown the computer. I chose - Last Known Configuration.

The computer went to Windows and then a light blue screen appeared and the Checking File on C:
File System is NTFS
Volume is dirty

CHKDSK is verifying files (Stage 1 of 3)
CHKDSK is verifying indexes (Stage 2 of 3)
CHKDSK is verifying security descriptors (Stage 3 of 3)
CHKDSK is verifying USN journal

Then reboot and loop back into this same chkdsk.
After several loops, I interrupted it and pressed F8 - clicked on Safe Mode.
While starting up in Safe Mode, an error box appeared that stated
While trying to update a password, there was a problem as current value is not correct.
Loop back to CHKDSK.

Should I copy back all of the *.tmp files back into the C:\Windows\System32\Config file and see what happens or should I try something else?

[sheppardwk]

Now when I try and use the Recovery console, it asks for the administrator password. Prior, I have just pressed enter and it accepted it. Now it won't. How do I find out the password?

[sheppardwk]

rstrui and rstrui.exe are not on the list of commands.
The list includes such commands as attrib, batch, append, copy, delete, dir, etc.

[sheppardwk]

If I was to reinstall Windows XP over itself on the C:\ drive, what will I lose? We have four (4) logons, will they be affected? My Documents, will it be affected? Other programs? etc.

Thanks.