Corrupt System File

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob Phillips
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob Phillips

Hi,

My daughter's laptop is reporting a corrupt file,
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It tells us to attempt to repair this
file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM< but we only
have a Repair disk (why we can't have setup disks is beyond me), and it just
doesn't start with this.

Her system is Windows XP Home. I have a couple of XP Pro boxes, could I just
use a Linux boot CD and copy from my system to hers and (hopefully) correct
it?

Seems OK to me, but thought I would ask for wiser counsel first.

TIA

Bob
 
Q. Her system is Windows XP Home. I have a couple of XP Pro boxes, could I just
use a Linux boot CD and copy from my system to hers and (hopefully) correct
it?

A. No. Purchase a "Full Version" of "Windows XP Home Edition" and perform a
"Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102151

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi,
|
| My daughter's laptop is reporting a corrupt file,
| C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It tells us to attempt to repair this
| file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM< but we only
| have a Repair disk (why we can't have setup disks is beyond me), and it just
| doesn't start with this.
|
| Her system is Windows XP Home. I have a couple of XP Pro boxes, could I just
| use a Linux boot CD and copy from my system to hers and (hopefully) correct
| it?
|
| Seems OK to me, but thought I would ask for wiser counsel first.
|
| TIA
|
| Bob
 
Bob Phillips said:
Hi,

My daughter's laptop is reporting a corrupt file,
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It tells us to attempt to repair this
file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM< but we only
have a Repair disk (why we can't have setup disks is beyond me), and it just
doesn't start with this.

Her system is Windows XP Home. I have a couple of XP Pro boxes, could I just
use a Linux boot CD and copy from my system to hers and (hopefully) correct
it?

Seems OK to me, but thought I would ask for wiser counsel first.

TIA

Bob
Click to expand...

No, you can't do what you describe. However...the instructions you need to
follow for registry replacement don't absolutely require you to run setup.
They will require you to have full access to the filesystem, which is
probably NTFS. Basically, you need to have the default registry there,
you locate and rename the existing registry; you copy in the default
registry; you restart with that and hope System Restore was running and has
a valid copy of the registry. If it doesn't, you need to reinstall
software - files will be there but registry settings will not be.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545

Some options:
1) I think I've been able to run the Recovery Console on an XP Home system
with an XP Pro CD. Try this - log on to the Administrator account, the
default password is blank (i.e. press Enter when asked for the password).
Then run the steps described in the KB article listed above.

2) Borrow an XP Home CD from someone and run Setup to get into the Recovery
Console.

3) *If* you have a Linux boot disk that provides full access to NTFS
volumes, you *may* be able to perform the tasks in the KB article.

4) Remove the drive from your daughter's machine and host it in your XP Pro
machine, (possibly using an external USB case) and perform the file
manipulations described in the KB article without going into the Recovery
Console.

But you cannot just copy your registry to hers, as the contents are
machine-specific.

If there is no way around, perhaps approach #4 will let you back up her
drive to space on your system. Then you can safely run the manufacturer's
restore CD and later restore the user data.

HTH
-pk
 
Good job I asked, didn't realise System was the registry.

I will have a go at this, wish me luck.

Thanks

Bob
 
"System" is only one of five hives (files) that make up your registry.

You best bet is to follow computer MFG guidance to address your issue.
Contact MFG website tech support. They have technical documents and "FREE"
online chat sessions.

More than likely your "Repair" disk will fix your problem.

You don't want to use a "retail" full version XP CD to fix your computer.
Your Win XP's license is linked to your computer and another version will
mess up your computer. Effectively, your registry is linked your computer
and software.

Contact computer MFG tech support. definitely your best choice!!
 
Bob said:
Hi,

My daughter's laptop is reporting a corrupt file,
C:\Windows\System32\Config\System. It tells us to attempt to repair this
file by starting Windows Setup using the original Setup CD-ROM< but we only
have a Repair disk (why we can't have setup disks is beyond me), and it just
doesn't start with this.

Her system is Windows XP Home. I have a couple of XP Pro boxes, could I just
use a Linux boot CD and copy from my system to hers and (hopefully) correct
it?

Seems OK to me, but thought I would ask for wiser counsel first.

TIA

Bob
Click to expand...
It seems to me, nobody so far suggested that you press f8 when the
machine boots and try "Last known good configuration" (may not be the
strictly exact wording). It is the first thing to do ... the next being,
installing a backup software that would have save the day immediately. I
have used Lifesaver for years, to utmost satisfaction (no interest here).
 
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