corrupted registry file (config)

Hi,
I don't know how I manage to be given computers to repair that seem to have the most difficult (and there are many others I'm sure) problems but I guess some of us have all the luck in the world...However, I am trying to repair a Windows Xp Pro edition that has a corrupted registry file c:\windows\system32\config\system...A previous attempt by another person to fix this problem felt the hard drive needs to be replaced but I am not so sure that decision was the correct one...All the computer would do on boot up is display the error message and suggest installing The Xp cd and select repair...To make a long story short I finally was able to do that and at certain stages of the repair I was unfamiliar with the proper commands...With some guidance thru other resources using google, I managed to get the computer to appear as it's going to make it to the desktop because the Xp screen comes up but then the screen goes blank (displaying a black screen) and seems to stop at that point...I think I need to go back into the repair option and try and install another file but but my level of expertise stops here.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated...

 

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

 

Hi,
Thank you for that info...but when I tried those steps it kept saying as I typed in each one something to the effect that file could not be found...Despite what it said, I kept typing in each one and got the same reply's for all...However, I beleive that when I typed in the following: c:\windows\system32\repair\system.bak system that it said one file copied and it was after that when I started seeing the Windows Xp logo appear (which then was followed with the blank (black) screen)...Prior to getting to the point of the logo screen and the file being copied, the computer would first boot up and give the error message, then it would go into safe mode and give the same error message no matter what steps I took such as Last Known, etc, etc...Once the file was copied, the logo screen appeared but stops at the blank screen...I could not figure how to get beyond that...

 

At this point, I would try the repair install again if you cannot even boot to safe mode.
It sounds like an incomplete repair of your system.

 

Hi,
I apologize if I was not clear but I'll try and correct that...When I took on this computer and every time I booted it up the missing or corrupted file message would come up...When I tried to access the safe mode options and tried to access safe mode or last known configuration the same error message would appear...Once I did the repair trick and was able to copy that one file, the computer than would then boot up and after the Xp logo, it goes to a blank screen...That's where I stopped because I was not sure where to proceed to next...I have not tried to access safe mode since...Hopefully that gives a clearer picture...

 

Well, I would see if after replacing your config file as instructed at microsoft, you can at least boot to safe mode and log in with username Administrator (the master admin hidden profile) instead of your normal account. IF this works, you can try creating a new user profile and boot to normal mode and login to it. If that does not work there are other things to try before resorting to a repair install.
System file checker, disabling various startup entries to see what is jamming up where things like that.

How to do a repair install

 

Hi,
Okay...What I am thinking of trying is, using boot disks as soon as I can get some double density floppies, and boot up the computer that way and go from there if I have any luck...

 

That would get you to the same place as booting to the cd does basically; you could use the command prompt to copy or move files or reinstall windows. But if you can boot to the CD it is far easier to just do so.

Download the six floppy XP boot set from Microsoft

 

Hi,
Okay...I will try the repair option again and see what happens...Will post back as soon as that mission is accomplished with the results...The other problem I found out from the owner afterwards is, there is a great likely-hood that this computer has been infected with trojans, etc, etc...So if and when I can get into it, I face a good chance of another difficult task ahead to deal with...

 

HI,
I copied the Windows Xp Pro bootup to a CD-RW because I am unable to find the double density floppy disks and a computer store told me they doubt I will find them and it was best to copy it to a CD...I guess the story I read once that Microsoft has future plans for making the floppies a thing of the past was also confirmed...So when I tried booting the computer up using the CD-RW, it would not boot...Another attempt was made to use the Microsoft Pro Edition CD to use the repair option stopped when the adminstrator password was needed...While I await the owner to try and remember what that password was, I wanted to update this post in the mean time...

 

...So when I tried booting the computer up using the CD-RW, it would not boot..


Check your bios settings to make sure you're booting from the cd drive before the hard drive....

Or is it not booting up because of the big mess its in?

 

Hi,
Thanks for the reminder but I made sure that it was booting from the CD-rom before attempting the task...I finally got what the owner thinks is the Admin Password, and will attempt to see if it's the correct one later this evening...
Will post back...

 

Hi,
Just wanted to Update...The owner of the computer has provided 3 possible passwords all of which did not work out to be correct...I even tried at the prompt for the admin password by typing in "control userpasswords2" and that did not get me in (not that I really expected it too but tried anyways)...
Will post back when there are better results...

 

Hi,
Final Update...The owner of the computer discovered that they had a month left on their warranty and decieded to ship it off and have Dell fix the problem...Once again thanks for the support...