Corrupted existing WINXP registry after installing 2nd WinXP

March 19, 2008

Hi,

I really need help on this. Thanks in advance.

I have a machine running: matrix raid (two physical hard disks), with

win xp installed (SP2, C: drive) and Win2003 (E: drive) server.

I have three partitions on my hard disk: C: and E:

running striped mirror, and D: running redundancy (i.e. if one raid

mbr fails, can still retrieve data on the other one).

Everything is fine.

Later for performance problems, I want to install another Win XP to my

computer. For E: drive, it sits with Win2003, and files of

applications installed in C: win xp. Therefore, when I installed the

2nd XP, I didn't format E: partition, but just let the installation

program overwrites files to E:\WINDOWS. I thought that should be ok

since this will not involve in C: drive.

Installation is ok, boot to the second XP is ok. But not booting in

the 1st one.

"Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or

corrupt:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

"

I was in panic, I googled and found the MS KB article (307545),

followed its instructions, I use the registry backups 1 or 2 versions

old (I didn't use the latest RPxxx). Still failed. (However, the step

of copying the reg files from the "repair" directory, and booting in

this 1st XP in safe mode did work.)

What can I do? Is this "XP overwriting Win2003 in a raid environment"

a stupid thing? Please help, I am in great panic! Thx.

Regards,

MongKokFrantics

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