Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

[Guest Alberto]

This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

\Windows\systems32\config\system

I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get back

to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I looked

for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r, but

that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk and I

might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

Are there any other solutions?

[Guest jake]

RE: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

The first thing I would try is start with lastknowngood if that doesn't work

then

the file you are going to need is c:/windows/repair/system but you will lose

all settings.

Or you can try a restore file if they haven't been corrupted by a virus, it

is located in C:\System Volume Information

the folders _restore{some number} contain folders RP followed by a number.

Find a rp folder containing a folder snapshot.In there you will find a file

named _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM.Rename that file to system and copy it to the

c:/windows/system32/config folder.

C:\System Volume Information is also hidden by default.

Of course make backups of any altered files incase something goes wrong.

Now I do all this using bartpe but it can be done in the recovery console

too although you will have to do using dos.

And I dont think you can get this file from the 1386 folder.So if you cant

find file in c:/windows/repair or C:\System Volume Information then a

reinstall is the only solution.So good luck

 

"Alberto" wrote:

> This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> \Windows\systems32\config\system

> I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get back

> to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I looked

> for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r, but

> that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk and I

> might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> Are there any other solutions?

[Guest jake]

RE: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

I also beleive the command sfc /scannow will replace the repair folder if it

has been deleted for some reason.But when you do get back operational.Make

sure you run virus/spyware cleaners as alot of virus/spyware will actually

delete or modify mentioned files so that you will not be able to recover.

 

"jake" wrote:

> The first thing I would try is start with lastknowngood if that doesn't work

> then

> the file you are going to need is c:/windows/repair/system but you will lose

> all settings.

> Or you can try a restore file if they haven't been corrupted by a virus, it

> is located in C:\System Volume Information

> the folders _restore{some number} contain folders RP followed by a number.

> Find a rp folder containing a folder snapshot.In there you will find a file

> named _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM.Rename that file to system and copy it to the

> c:/windows/system32/config folder.

> C:\System Volume Information is also hidden by default.

> Of course make backups of any altered files incase something goes wrong.

> Now I do all this using bartpe but it can be done in the recovery console

> too although you will have to do using dos.

> And I dont think you can get this file from the 1386 folder.So if you cant

> find file in c:/windows/repair or C:\System Volume Information then a

> reinstall is the only solution.So good luck

>

> "Alberto" wrote:

>

> > This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> > eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> > \Windows\systems32\config\system

> > I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get back

> > to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> > I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> > one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> > directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I looked

> > for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r, but

> > that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk and I

> > might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> > Are there any other solutions?

[Guest Alberto]

RE: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

Thanks for the response. LKG didn't work the several times I reached that

page. I didn't have the system file in the repair subdirectory because the

repair subdirectory isn't on my HD. I don't know why, and I will be posting

to find out how to get it or if I need it.

I tried Recovery Console one last time and copied my system.bak to system,

and then was able to boot into Safe Mode. Once there I was able to do a

Restore and I am back to normal so far.

Does anyone out there know why this type of problem would happen so

frequently? I have scanned for virus and spyware, but I don't have more than

one application for each so maybe something slipped by?

 

"jake" wrote:

> The first thing I would try is start with lastknowngood if that doesn't work

> then

> the file you are going to need is c:/windows/repair/system but you will lose

> all settings.

> Or you can try a restore file if they haven't been corrupted by a virus, it

> is located in C:\System Volume Information

> the folders _restore{some number} contain folders RP followed by a number.

> Find a rp folder containing a folder snapshot.In there you will find a file

> named _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM.Rename that file to system and copy it to the

> c:/windows/system32/config folder.

> C:\System Volume Information is also hidden by default.

> Of course make backups of any altered files incase something goes wrong.

> Now I do all this using bartpe but it can be done in the recovery console

> too although you will have to do using dos.

> And I dont think you can get this file from the 1386 folder.So if you cant

> find file in c:/windows/repair or C:\System Volume Information then a

> reinstall is the only solution.So good luck

>

> "Alberto" wrote:

>

> > This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> > eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> > \Windows\systems32\config\system

> > I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get back

> > to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> > I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> > one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> > directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I looked

> > for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r, but

> > that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk and I

> > might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> > Are there any other solutions?

[Guest PaulM]

Re: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

Have you tried this:

Error Message: Windows could not start because the following file is missing

or corrupt

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];320252

 

--

http://www.paulsxp.com

http://www.paulsxp.com/forum

"Alberto" <Alberto@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9F13355E-8FDD-432F-B09C-3E28309A2B9C@microsoft.com...

> This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> \Windows\systems32\config\system

> I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get

> back

> to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I

> looked

> for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r,

> but

> that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk

> and I

> might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> Are there any other solutions?

[Guest PaulM]

Re: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

Sorry wrong link...try this one:

 

Error Message: Windows could not start because the following file is missing

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

 

"PaulM" <Paul@paulsxp.com> wrote in message

news:ukgI7dzgIHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> Have you tried this:

> Error Message: Windows could not start because the following file is

> missing or corrupt

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];320252

>

> --

> http://www.paulsxp.com

> http://www.paulsxp.com/forum

> "Alberto" <Alberto@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:9F13355E-8FDD-432F-B09C-3E28309A2B9C@microsoft.com...

>> This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

>> eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

>> \Windows\systems32\config\system

>> I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get

>> back

>> to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

>> I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

>> one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

>> directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I

>> looked

>> for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r,

>> but

>> that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk

>> and I

>> might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

>> Are there any other solutions?

>

[Guest windmap]

Re: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

Try this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

 

"Alberto" <Alberto@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9F13355E-8FDD-432F-B09C-3E28309A2B9C@microsoft.com...

> This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> \Windows\systems32\config\system

> I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get

> back

> to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I

> looked

> for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r,

> but

> that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk

> and I

> might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> Are there any other solutions?

[Guest Alberto]

Re: Windows XP could not start ... File missing or corrupt

 

Yes I started to use the instructions on this link, but in Step 1 it is

required to copy files from \Windows\repair\....... That subdirectory

doesn't exist on my computer, so I couldn't go any further with the

instructions.

 

"windmap" wrote:

> Try this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

>

> "Alberto" <Alberto@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:9F13355E-8FDD-432F-B09C-3E28309A2B9C@microsoft.com...

> > This will be the second time in 2 months that this problem happened on my

> > eMachines T3504 running XP Home. The file that is missing or corrupt is

> > \Windows\systems32\config\system

> > I used the OEM restore disk last time, and it was such a hassle to get

> > back

> > to working shape with email and the profiles and all that.

> > I have read quite a few posts here, and have tried many of the steps, but

> > one of the most frequent answers deals with copying files from a *repair*

> > directory while in the Recovery Console. Well, once I was in the RC I

> > looked

> > for the Repair directory and it can't be found. I have tried chkdsk /r,

> > but

> > that didn't work. Is it possible the file I need is on the restore disk

> > and I

> > might be able to use it without having to do a restore?

> > Are there any other solutions?

>

>

>