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

[kushtra24]

Hi All !

I'm here with a new problem I'm such an unlucky man !

I have here a pc from an neighbor and hi have this problem
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

OK I had this before and I reslove this problem.

but now If I get into the recovery console

and typed in there this whatwindows rekomanded

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

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

but afeter typing

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

I get this mesage.
the system can not find the file specifidet

it's a dektop PC have not a flopy disc
I think it's a intlel pentium 3.2, 512 mb ram have 80 gb hardrive and 128 mb graphig.
motherboard is an American Megatrends.

I can't get into safe mode or make an lest know good... or get in any other way in windows.

I have try to typed
[line]1[/line] copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak [line]1[/line]

but it doesn't work

also I have try to type anything else like
fixboot ,fixmbr or chkdsk
but is doesn't work to.

In other forums I have reed that the file c:\windows\system32\config\system isnt corrupt but it's missing that's the reason because the system can not find it.

If anyone have an Idea. Please tell me

[Raymond]

If the system file is missing, it is nearly impossible to restore unless you have a backup which we normally don't have one.
If you have a Windows XP installation disc, boot up the computer with it and perform a reinstall/repair.
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2007/11/28/how-to-reinstall-or-repair-windows-xp/

[kushtra24]

Aha OK thanks for the answare.

about the reinstall/repair. in this PC it isnt.

here is this dialog

[hal9000]

The error is obviously saying that the SYSTEM file is missing from the Config folder, but is it missing from the Repair folder?

What happens when you only type:
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

If the file is missing it still might be on the system under another name. I had 5 other SYSTEM files located on my old XP partition so it's worth searching the Windows folder just in case.

[kushtra24]

What happens when you only type:
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

the same.

the system can not find the file specifidet

[tangomouse]

you need to copy the file from the windows cd not C:

[hal9000]

Just looked at your dialog picture above and there's something seriously wrong there. The partition is showing as RAW with a size of 1996MB which is why you can't repair, Windows can't see the OS.

Boot a Hiren or UBCD4WIN cd and try a chkdsk c: /r from there or run testdisk. Failing that, there are some data recovery utils on those disks which may find the files for you to recover before a reformat / reinstall. If that doesn't work the partition is probably screwed or worse the HDD is failing.

There are commercial apps like iCare Data Recovery and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard which have been free giveaways in the past that can recover files from a RAW HDD. Being a Raymond.cc member you may have one of them.

[tangomouse]

Just looked at your dialog picture above and there's something seriously wrong there. The partition is showing as RAW with a size of 1996MB which is why you can't repair, Windows can't see the OS.

Boot a Hiren or UBCD4WIN cd and try a chkdsk c: /r from there or run testdisk. Failing that, there are some data recovery utils on those disks which may find the files for you to recover before a reformat / reinstall. If that doesn't work the partition is probably screwed or worse the HDD is failing.

There are commercial apps like iCare Data Recovery and EaseUs Data Recovery Wizard which have been free giveaways in the past that can recover files from a RAW HDD. Being a Raymond.cc member you may have one of them.

I dont think thats his actual screenshot , those screens are from a virtual pc and to get that on his ,he would need to take a photo.

[kushtra24]

I dont think thats his actual screenshot , those screens are from a virtual pc and to get that on his ,he would need to take a photo.

Yeah thats tru this photo are from the internet (google). it's similar like this what I've posted.
I mean with this photo that I can't repair.

you need to copy the file from the windows cd not C:

I have try this with a windows CD I cant get into the recovery console.

[tangomouse]

id find another copy or do a repair install of xp