XP boot error -Sytem file missing or corrupt 1

[macgerailt]

Can anyone help me resolve this:

When I boot up my PC I get a message he following message:

Windows\system32\config\system file is missing or corrupt.

To boot the machine I then restore to a previous safe version via Norton goback.

next time I boot the machine the same thing happens again.

I have tried to reinstall the Xp software and encounter the following error:
reinstall error : process1_initializarion_failed

I have also tried to update the Xp version from the original system disk and it too also fails.

Have been through this loop a number of times without any resolution. Can anybody help me resolve please?

Thanks

Ps: Xp home edition is what's installed on the PC

 

[smah]

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

[chronics]

I would back up your data and then perform a fresh install. More than likely this error will reoccur again in a few months if you attempt a repair.

 

[goombawaho]

You should use the hard drive manufacturer's utility to check the hard drive FIRST. If it's going, it may be corrupted those files and you'll never get it going.

About 50% of the time I see one of these errors, it's hard drive started to croak. The rest is when someone shuts the PC down in the middle of an automatic update or just pushes the power button because they didn't want to wait or the PC had frozen.

 

[macgerailt]

Thanks Smah and Chronics - I'll try proposed solutions and let you know how I go.

Goombawaho - funny you should mention hard disk failure( or not!). In one of my recovery attempts I encountered the error below:
Stop: C0000221 Unknown hard error

Do you think this is linked to a hard disk issue?

Also in one of the instances when I was trying to reinstall XP It asked me to identify the partition that I wanted to install the software to but couldn't install to the partition once I selected it saying that it couldn't recognise it.

I have Norton goback protection and have created XP restore points in order to cover the bases as best I can.

 

[BadBigBen]

I'd remove GoBack, it can cause these issues...

have a read:

GoBack causes a Stop error C000021a

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;316503&x=16&y=14

0xC0000221: STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH
Indicates driver problems, system file problems, disk corruption problems (such as a damaged pagefile), or faulty memory hardware.

Indicates driver problems, system file problems, disk corruption problems (such as a damaged pagefile), or faulty memory hardware.

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;314474

source: aumha.org



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[goombawaho]

I would do what I said above OR you can boot from a Bart PE CD and run a checkdisk on the drive to see if you get bad sectors/file system corruption. But, I'd still want to know if the disk is sound before going to all the trouble of trying to get the system going again.

Also, you'd know to back up your data ASAP if the disk is having a lot of bad sectors.

If you download the Ultimate Boot CD, it has all the major manufacturer utilities built in. Excellent tool to have on hand for anyone.