Boot error: winnt/system32/config/system

[geojf3]

Hi all,

On boot up of a Gateway desktop running XP, I am getting a corrupt or missing error on winnt/system32/config/system

I tried to boot the machine with the Gateway CD to start Recovery Console, but I only get as far as the DOS screen indicating that I am in Recovery Console and that I can type EXIT. The command prompt I get is C:/> I cannot use the DIR command since I get an error indicating there is a problem enumerating the directory. I am not sure if this is due to Recovery Console not being installed on the hard drive.

Any help resolving this matter would be appreciated.

George

 

[vacunita]

Sounds like the hard drive has gone south. Both because it can't load the system hive and because the console can't enumerate the drive.

I would try to diagnose the hard drive as a first step.

Try the Ultimate boot CD, and its hard drive tools, see if they return any errors about the drive. Alternatively try running a chkdsk from the recovery console.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

download the ISO file from one of the mirrors, and burn it to CD. Then boot the machine with it, and run the HD tests.

----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[geojf3]

Thank you...I ran CHKDSK (with no parameters) and it reported that there are 1 or more errors on the disk. I then rebooted the machine and, oddly enough, it booted into Windows normally.

So now I am in the process of burning what I want to CD's and once that is safely done I can get a new hard drive.

Thank you for your help.

 

[goombawaho]

Test the hard drive with the manufacturer's utility from the CD listed above BEFORE you purchase a new hard drive.

I would get a backup of your data though just in case - NOW. This illustrates the need to have a backup plan in place 365 days a year, because the 366th day could be a real PITA.