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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

--
www.paulsxp.com
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?

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
>
> --
> www.paulsxp.com
> 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?
>

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?

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?
>
>
>