Windows XP missing or corrupted file

fmarcof · Dec 2, 2002, 02:17 PM

As I said, I get this kind of error. When I power on my computer, after RAM and HD checking ecc. it says that a file (windows\system32\config\system) is corrupted or missing. I can't even run the safe mode, because I get the same error.
I checked if the file was in the right directory and I found it. This file, I think is written depending on the PC components or drivers... and so I can't substitute it (I tried but it didn't work).
I did a disk check with the system recovery console running with the XP insallation CD. The command chkdsk /p /r corrected some errors on my HD but my XP couldn't even run.

What can I do? these are my specs:

AMD Athlon Xp 2000+
MSI MOBO, I don't remember the model
512 MD SDRAM
CD-Reader ASUS 50x
CD-R/RW Writer Plextor 24x12x40x
DVD-R/RW CD-R/RW Writer Toshiba 2x(DVD)16x(CD)
ATI RADEON 9700 PRO
Hard disk EIDE ATAPI Maxtor 40 GB (boot)
Controller SCSI RAID Silicon Tech. Sil/U660
Hard disk Ultra-SCSI 2 Maxtor 60 GB
and some other stuff

Dec 2, 2002, 03:02 PM

run for the hills and don't you DARE look back... if you are to lazy to do that then put in the windows xp cd and boot from it... then use the repair tool.

DriveEuro · Dec 2, 2002, 04:51 PM

Dude I've had this problem too, I thought my computer was fucked, but it wasn't. If you just overclocked the FSB then change it back. If you just changed ram, or moved them, stick them back where they orignially worked. I had a problem like this twice. Scared the Fúck outta me cuz i thought that i lost everything. I find that sometimes when I clock the FSB to high it gives me errors JUST LIKE YOURS.

fmarcof · Dec 2, 2002, 04:58 PM

Thanks for answering, but I haven't overclocked my FSB or moved RAM. Any other suggestions?

fmarcof · Dec 2, 2002, 05:18 PM

I found an answer at http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

digitalwanderer · Dec 2, 2002, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fmarcof
I found an answer at http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

Great find! Thanks for taking the time to share it so the next person who has that problem will be able to easily fix it.

Dec 2, 2002, 07:52 PM

Ouch !!!
Dont even use those words bro!!

I just finished reinstalling 2 OSs.

But i have a slight diff.

Im on a double boot now with 2K and XP

After reinstalling win2k 3 days ago and tried to enter my XP partition i got the same dreaded message.

If your on a single OS you can even try the FIX BOOT option (i cant for fear of losing 2k).
BTW i get this problem when ever a O/C goes bad...

Dec 2, 2002, 09:10 PM

Ok here goes...

I just finished repairing my XP setup.

I tried FIXING BOOT through the repair console but didnt work.

I didnt think it would as the problem is a sys file.

So here is what i did.

I booted from the winXP cd.
But instead of chosing repair i continued to install Xp.

Here is where it gets tricky for a sec:

When you come to the prompt to install screen it also has a
repair option.
So i selected the repair option..bla..bla..bla...and even had to give it my installation key(the new one that i had fixed) and after about 30 mins i was up and running again.

The only thing i had to reinstall was my USB2 drivers and the Vidcard drivers cause i had moved the files that they were installed from previously.

Thats it !!

fmarcof · Dec 2, 2002, 09:21 PM

Too late! I tried to do as microsoft help said and now I've fixed the problem.

I'm checking if it's all right. I'll let you know

fmarcof · Dec 2, 2002, 09:42 PM

You were right! I can't log on in my windows xp! If I try to log on it logs me off immediatelly

Dec 3, 2002, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by digitalwanderer
Great find! Thanks for taking the time to share it so the next person who has that problem will be able to easily fix it.

YEA... thanks... jerk

j/k

fornicatarachnid · Dec 3, 2002, 02:30 AM

This is a well known problem with XP. Ive had a few times in the

past. The first time i lost everything because I formatted my HD

and the problem was fixed.....for a while. In my case it turned out

to be a faulty stick of RAM and the error message about the

faulty/corrupted file was just a hoax because I could reproduce

the error message by replacing the faulty RAM but if I removed it

everything would be ok

I used to visit a forum that had hundreds of people with exactly

the same problems. I can't remember the name of it but I will try

to find out for you. There were all sorts of reasons thrown up

by people there for the causes of this problem, from XP shutting

down too quickly to faulty memory. like mine.

Ive found a few links that deal with the problem. Hopefully they

will help

http://www.sft-cyber.com/op_issues.html

http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/w...orum/4611.html

http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/...r7-8x(3).shtml

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.c...TOKEN=15326546

Dec 3, 2002, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by generalstupid
YEA... thanks... jerk

j/k

I fail to see the joke in that comment...

Also please post without the 30 lines of space in the future...

fmarcof · Dec 3, 2002, 03:42 PM

Thank you for these links. hope that will be useful

ldonyo · Dec 10, 2002, 07:04 PM

I've found the 'Repair' console to be pretty much useless. If I can't get my PC to boot in Safe Mode and use System Restore, I'll do a Repair Installation. The only part that sucks about the Repair Installation is that you have to reinstall EVERY patch and Service Pack for the OS!

Dec 10, 2002, 09:19 PM

Yeah but either that or reinstall the whole os (with the patches) then drivers then the 3 or 4 games then Office then a truck load of other apps.........no i pick install/repair.

Dec 2, 2002, 02:17 PM	#1
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Windows XP missing or corrupted file As I said, I get this kind of error. When I power on my computer, after RAM and HD checking ecc. it says that a file (windows\system32\config\system) is corrupted or missing. I can't even run the safe mode, because I get the same error. I checked if the file was in the right directory and I found it. This file, I think is written depending on the PC components or drivers... and so I can't substitute it (I tried but it didn't work). I did a disk check with the system recovery console running with the XP insallation CD. The command chkdsk /p /r corrected some errors on my HD but my XP couldn't even run. What can I do? these are my specs: AMD Athlon Xp 2000+ MSI MOBO, I don't remember the model 512 MD SDRAM CD-Reader ASUS 50x CD-R/RW Writer Plextor 24x12x40x DVD-R/RW CD-R/RW Writer Toshiba 2x(DVD)16x(CD) ATI RADEON 9700 PRO Hard disk EIDE ATAPI Maxtor 40 GB (boot) Controller SCSI RAID Silicon Tech. Sil/U660 Hard disk Ultra-SCSI 2 Maxtor 60 GB and some other stuff

Dec 2, 2002, 04:51 PM	#3
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Dude I've had this problem too, I thought my computer was fucked, but it wasn't. If you just overclocked the FSB then change it back. If you just changed ram, or moved them, stick them back where they orignially worked. I had a problem like this twice. Scared the Fúck outta me cuz i thought that i lost everything. I find that sometimes when I clock the FSB to high it gives me errors JUST LIKE YOURS. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Dec 2, 2002, 09:21 PM	Thread Starter #9
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Log-on Too late! I tried to do as microsoft help said and now I've fixed the problem. I'm checking if it's all right. I'll let you know

Dec 3, 2002, 02:30 AM	#12
fornicatarachnid Clanless Join Date: May 2002 Location: On the web, England UK Posts: 714 Rep Power: 0	This is a well known problem with XP. Ive had a few times in the past. The first time i lost everything because I formatted my HD and the problem was fixed.....for a while. In my case it turned out to be a faulty stick of RAM and the error message about the faulty/corrupted file was just a hoax because I could reproduce the error message by replacing the faulty RAM but if I removed it everything would be ok I used to visit a forum that had hundreds of people with exactly the same problems. I can't remember the name of it but I will try to find out for you. There were all sorts of reasons thrown up by people there for the causes of this problem, from XP shutting down too quickly to faulty memory. like mine. Ive found a few links that deal with the problem. Hopefully they will help http://www.sft-cyber.com/op_issues.html http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/w...orum/4611.html http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/...r7-8x(3).shtml http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.c...TOKEN=15326546 Last edited by fornicatarachnid; Dec 3, 2002 at 03:50 PM.

Dec 10, 2002, 07:04 PM	#15
ldonyo DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	I've found the 'Repair' console to be pretty much useless. If I can't get my PC to boot in Safe Mode and use System Restore, I'll do a Repair Installation. The only part that sucks about the Repair Installation is that you have to reinstall EVERY patch and Service Pack for the OS! __________________ Head Chef and Bottle Washer for LAN Addict Check out my eBay store!

Dec 2, 2002, 03:02 PM	#2
generalstupid Guest Posts: n/a	run for the hills and don't you DARE look back... if you are to lazy to do that then put in the windows xp cd and boot from it... then use the repair tool.

Dec 2, 2002, 04:58 PM	Thread Starter #4
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for answering, but I haven't overclocked my FSB or moved RAM. Any other suggestions?

Dec 2, 2002, 05:18 PM	Thread Starter #5
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	I found an answer at http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

Dec 2, 2002, 07:52 PM	#7
GREEKRAGE Guest Posts: n/a	Ouch !!! Dont even use those words bro!! I just finished reinstalling 2 OSs. But i have a slight diff. Im on a double boot now with 2K and XP After reinstalling win2k 3 days ago and tried to enter my XP partition i got the same dreaded message. If your on a single OS you can even try the FIX BOOT option (i cant for fear of losing 2k). BTW i get this problem when ever a O/C goes bad...

Dec 2, 2002, 09:10 PM	#8
GREEKRAGE Guest Posts: n/a	Ok here goes... I just finished repairing my XP setup. I tried FIXING BOOT through the repair console but didnt work. I didnt think it would as the problem is a sys file. So here is what i did. I booted from the winXP cd. But instead of chosing repair i continued to install Xp. Here is where it gets tricky for a sec: When you come to the prompt to install screen it also has a repair option. So i selected the repair option..bla..bla..bla...and even had to give it my installation key(the new one that i had fixed) and after about 30 mins i was up and running again. The only thing i had to reinstall was my USB2 drivers and the Vidcard drivers cause i had moved the files that they were installed from previously. Thats it !!

Dec 2, 2002, 09:42 PM	Thread Starter #10
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	You were right! I can't log on in my windows xp! If I try to log on it logs me off immediatelly

Dec 3, 2002, 03:42 PM	Thread Starter #14
fmarcof DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 21 Rep Power: 0	Thank you for these links. hope that will be useful

Dec 10, 2002, 09:19 PM	#16
GREEKRAGE Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah but either that or reinstall the whole os (with the patches) then drivers then the 3 or 4 games then Office then a truck load of other apps.........no i pick install/repair.