Fixing XP corrupt file

this is what I've done

In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system
system.bak , and then press ENTER.

Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER

I've also done it exactly as you typed with the same file not found.

When would I enter the chkdsk command? (FYI it's the system folder and I am
using XP Home)

Thank you again for trying to help me. I greatly appreciate it!


"Clark" wrote:
> did you do a chkdsk /r command yet? that will scan and repair any corrupt
> files in the system , (try that later)?
> try this
>
> In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
> Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
> Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
> Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.
>
> If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace
> "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would
> type copy c:\windows\repair\software (instead of copy
> c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
>
> You should receive a "One file copied" message.
>
> OR
> Boot Recovery Console
>
> At the command prompt type:
>
> ren c:\windows\system32\config\system system.old
> copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config
>
> Reboot
>
> If all else fails and your CD and your OS license are the same, example XP
> home,
>
> you can try a repair install, boot the PC like you are to the CD but, when
> you get to recovery or install choose install, then at the next prompt, the
> computer will tell you it is looking for previous installs of windows, then
> you can choose repair install at that prompt..
> The CD and the license DO need to be the same type at that point but not the
> same service pack, and you will need to call Microsoft, no doubt, to re-
> activate the product..
> just answer Yes to one computer and yes to is this the first time you are
> activating it...(if those are the questions)
>
> Clark...
>

Can you please perform these steps and let us know the outcome:
Start the machine and Press F8 consecutively to get the boot options and
select Safe Mode are you able to boot into safe Mode?
Try again and see Last Good known Config- does it work?
What happen if you typed in the recovery Consol this command:
CD repair
This will take you into the "repair" folder then type:
dir /p
This command will list the repair directory can you see these Subfolders:
Software
System
Do they listed there?

= Another what happen if you typed this command instead:
copy C:\WINDOWS\repair\system.bak C:\windows\system32\config\system

Here the same issue like yours please read and see if one of the steps will
help:

http://forums.microsoft.com/Embedded...5356&SiteID=47
<Q from the above>
Try to continue with the rest of the commands and reboot your machine and
see if it willtake you to the Logon window.
</Q>
Does the CD Home Edition or XP Pro?

= My guess is your HDD having Bad sectors or may be going bad, so try to
health test your hard drive with the diagnostic tools from your HDD
manufacturer Website.


"SusanCA" wrote:

> Clark
>
> i've got the disc and i've made it as far as the copy
> c:\windows\repair\system part. When I hit enter after that command I get
> system cannot find the file specified. Ideas?
>
> Thanks for the help!
>
> "Clark" wrote:
>
> > nass wrote:
> > > Note You will need a CD the same Specs as your Operating system.
> > > You can call Best Buy and get a recovery CD to repair the System by
> > > folowing the instructions being given earlier on the KB.
> >
> > Nass, why would anyone order from Best Buy when they could order the CD
> > directly from the manufacturer ?
> > HP, Dell, etc, all offer a replacement CD for only $20.00 or so.
> > And what the heck is the same specs as your OS? same version same type ?
> > for instance if you had a Dell disk OEM XPsp1 you still can do a full repair
> > install with an OEM XPsp2 as long as you keep with the proper type,
> > I, E, Home, Pro, Media, or Pro Corp
> >
> > Clark..
> >
> >
> >
> > > Also you can Hook the Hard Drive as Slave to another PC and Rescue
> > > the data you want then Reinstall or Repair to be safe.
> > > HTH.
> > > nass
> > > ---
> > > http://www.nasstec.co.uk
> > >
> > >
> > > "SusanCA" wrote:
> > >
> > >> thank you thank you. I have a friend who has the CD's and I will
> > >> give this a try. Hopefully I can get it booted so I can get all my
> > >> photos and files if it is the hard drive.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> "Clark" wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> SusanCA wrote:
> > >>>> OK first off YES I am one of those who didn't do a recovery disc
> > >>>> when I set up my computer several years ago.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> We get back from vacation and the computer refused to boot saying
> > >>>> that the windows/system32/config was missing or corrupted.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> If I buy the XP discs can I fix the error and get the system to
> > >>>> boot up without losing the files and photos that I currently have
> > >>>> sitting on the hard drive>
> > >>>
> > >>> First off the hard drive may be dying on you, but, try this.....
> > >>>
> > >>> It is easier than it looks... :-)
> > >>> All you need is an OEM XP disc, home I assume, but could be Media
> > >>> or Pro (to do the repair function in Console you can use any XP CD)
> > >>> which is different than a repair install.... by the way..
> > >>>
> > >>> if you have a friend that has a CD that states XP OEM , your all
> > >>> set just follow the steps from
> > >>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
> > >>>
> > >>> First enter the recovery console, depending on your PC, you need to
> > >>> boot to your CD, with the XP disk in it
> > >>> this link has a slide show and text to walk you through it..
> > >>> http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe...s/rconsole.htm
> > >>> In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
> > >>>
> > >>> Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the
> > >>> file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding
> > >>> command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press
> > >>> ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software
> > >>> file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command.
> > >>> For example, you would type ren software software.bak (instead of
> > >>> ren system system.bak ), and then press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software
> > >>> file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command.
> > >>> For example, you would type copy c:\windows\repair\software
> > >>> (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For
> > >>> additional information about how to use Recovery Console during
> > >>> startup, click the article number below to view the article in the
> > >>> Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the
> > >>> Recovery Console for Windows XP
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding
> > >>> commands, you may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd )
> > >>> one folder at a time before you run the preceding commands. For
> > >>> example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then
> > >>> press ENTER.
> > >>>
> > >>> Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and
> > >>> restart the computer.
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> Clark...
> > >>>
> > >>> --
> > >>> Don't you have Google in your part of the world?
> >
> > --
> > Don't you have Google in your part of the world?
> >
> >
> >

SusanCA wrote:
> this is what I've done
>
> In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
> Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
> Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
>
> If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system
> system.bak , and then press ENTER.
>
> Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER
>
> I've also done it exactly as you typed with the same file not found.
>
> When would I enter the chkdsk command? (FYI it's the system folder
> and I am using XP Home)
>
> Thank you again for trying to help me. I greatly appreciate it!
>

you would do the chkdsk /r command after booting to the CD under
repair console, at the command prompt.
By the way I have done just that scan for customers and had that fix
things...
This scan will take a long time 30 to 60 min...
there are other ways to fix what you are trying to fix but...it gets
complicated...

either you are miss typing something or the file is truly missing and the
easiest thing is to do a repair install
As long as the CD is OEM and both the PC and are XP Home,
(I wish I could E-mail you a copy of one of mine)

you can try a repair install, boot the PC like you are to the CD
but, when you get to recovery or install choose install, then at the
next prompt, the computer will tell you it is looking for previous
installs of windows, then you can choose repair install at that
prompt..
The CD and the license DO need to be the same type at that point but
not the same service pack, and you will need to call Microsoft, no
doubt, to re- activate the product..
just answer Yes to one computer and yes to is this the first time
you are activating it...(if those are the questions)

>> Clark...

Hey Nass

Well I suspect that something bigger is going on than just a corrupted file.
I was trying to do a repair using the CD's (XP Home fyi) and ended up loading
a new windows to another drive. So in looking at removing the mess up I've
found that the C drive doesn't register that Windows is even installed. It's
like it's completely gone. I've reached the point where I think I've messed
this poor thing up enough and I am just going to buy either a new CPU or just
buy a replacement hard drive and load XP on it. I can't believe I screwed
this up so bad!

"nass" wrote:

>
> Can you please perform these steps and let us know the outcome:
> Start the machine and Press F8 consecutively to get the boot options and
> select Safe Mode are you able to boot into safe Mode?
> Try again and see Last Good known Config- does it work?
> What happen if you typed in the recovery Consol this command:
> CD repair
> This will take you into the "repair" folder then type:
> dir /p
> This command will list the repair directory can you see these Subfolders:
> Software
> System
> Do they listed there?
>
> = Another what happen if you typed this command instead:
> copy C:\WINDOWS\repair\system.bak C:\windows\system32\config\system
>
> Here the same issue like yours please read and see if one of the steps will
> help:
>
> http://forums.microsoft.com/Embedded...5356&SiteID=47
> <Q from the above>
> Try to continue with the rest of the commands and reboot your machine and
> see if it willtake you to the Logon window.
> </Q>
> Does the CD Home Edition or XP Pro?
>
> = My guess is your HDD having Bad sectors or may be going bad, so try to
> health test your hard drive with the diagnostic tools from your HDD
> manufacturer Website.
>
>
> "SusanCA" wrote:
>
> > Clark
> >
> > i've got the disc and i've made it as far as the copy
> > c:\windows\repair\system part. When I hit enter after that command I get
> > system cannot find the file specified. Ideas?
> >
> > Thanks for the help!
> >
> > "Clark" wrote:
> >
> > > nass wrote:
> > > > Note You will need a CD the same Specs as your Operating system.
> > > > You can call Best Buy and get a recovery CD to repair the System by
> > > > folowing the instructions being given earlier on the KB.
> > >
> > > Nass, why would anyone order from Best Buy when they could order the CD
> > > directly from the manufacturer ?
> > > HP, Dell, etc, all offer a replacement CD for only $20.00 or so.
> > > And what the heck is the same specs as your OS? same version same type ?
> > > for instance if you had a Dell disk OEM XPsp1 you still can do a full repair
> > > install with an OEM XPsp2 as long as you keep with the proper type,
> > > I, E, Home, Pro, Media, or Pro Corp
> > >
> > > Clark..
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > Also you can Hook the Hard Drive as Slave to another PC and Rescue
> > > > the data you want then Reinstall or Repair to be safe.
> > > > HTH.
> > > > nass
> > > > ---
> > > > http://www.nasstec.co.uk
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "SusanCA" wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> thank you thank you. I have a friend who has the CD's and I will
> > > >> give this a try. Hopefully I can get it booted so I can get all my
> > > >> photos and files if it is the hard drive.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> "Clark" wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>> SusanCA wrote:
> > > >>>> OK first off YES I am one of those who didn't do a recovery disc
> > > >>>> when I set up my computer several years ago.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> We get back from vacation and the computer refused to boot saying
> > > >>>> that the windows/system32/config was missing or corrupted.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> If I buy the XP discs can I fix the error and get the system to
> > > >>>> boot up without losing the files and photos that I currently have
> > > >>>> sitting on the hard drive>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> First off the hard drive may be dying on you, but, try this.....
> > > >>>
> > > >>> It is easier than it looks... :-)
> > > >>> All you need is an OEM XP disc, home I assume, but could be Media
> > > >>> or Pro (to do the repair function in Console you can use any XP CD)
> > > >>> which is different than a repair install.... by the way..
> > > >>>
> > > >>> if you have a friend that has a CD that states XP OEM , your all
> > > >>> set just follow the steps from
> > > >>> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
> > > >>>
> > > >>> First enter the recovery console, depending on your PC, you need to
> > > >>> boot to your CD, with the XP disk in it
> > > >>> this link has a slide show and text to walk you through it..
> > > >>> http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixthe...s/rconsole.htm
> > > >>> In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Type dir system , and then press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the
> > > >>> file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding
> > > >>> command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press
> > > >>> ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software
> > > >>> file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command.
> > > >>> For example, you would type ren software software.bak (instead of
> > > >>> ren system system.bak ), and then press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software
> > > >>> file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command.
> > > >>> For example, you would type copy c:\windows\repair\software
> > > >>> (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For
> > > >>> additional information about how to use Recovery Console during
> > > >>> startup, click the article number below to view the article in the
> > > >>> Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the
> > > >>> Recovery Console for Windows XP
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding
> > > >>> commands, you may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd )
> > > >>> one folder at a time before you run the preceding commands. For
> > > >>> example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then
> > > >>> press ENTER.
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and
> > > >>> restart the computer.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Clark...
> > > >>>
> > > >>> --
> > > >>> Don't you have Google in your part of the world?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Don't you have Google in your part of the world?
> > >
> > >
> > >

Test