Q: This is the message I get when I return to my other PC.
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWS SYSTEM32 CONFIG SYSTEM
Now, ive read a lot of things in the website, but my problems win xp is abit different.
I cannot even get into the RECOVERY CONSOLE! are either the USB keyboard is faulty, or it just doesnt recognize the “r” key during startup up.
I can get into the BIOS by using DEL key, but not in safe mode with F8 or F10/12 matter.
Tried use that to boot from secondary master CD-ROM (win xp hom setup inside), but does seem to recognize the CD all.
Ok So I need some help.
Here are the specs of the 7 NW-year PC
p4 2.53 (533FSb) 478
Gigabyte GA-8ST667 (SiS 645DX chipset)
2×256 DDR333 RAM (dual channel not because this mobo does supportit)
Suma GeForce FX5700
350W PSU
Also Seasonic has a CD / CDRW Combo (secondary master) and 1 DVD-ROM (slave) and 0.
Floppy Windows XP home edition
Any help will be appreciated.
note – this would be a hardware problem?
Thanks in advance!
Re:There is an easier way to do it (fixing the missing SYSTEM "hive"), as Readbeard1 mentions in his thread.
But before getting there, I'd like to let you know that it may very well NOT be a motherboard issue, but rather a failing power supply. It's a cheap test to find out, and given that you would probably be buying a new powersupply for the new homebrew pc, why not see if it will help ya?
So, if you buy a new PSU (I recommend something in the 500 Watt range from a respected PSU name), why not see if you can slap it in the old box and find out if your devices that weren't working before magically come back up.
If you do, and find your cdrom and keyboards work again, you'll still have to deal with the SYSTEM issue, but that's an easy thing once you know how, and I or others will be glad to help you out.
If the new PSU doesn't help, you've lost nothing, and will have bought one of the pieces to your new system. It's a test worth doing, IMO.
I just had a failing PSU which, in its last breath, left me with an error similar to yours. I replaced it for my current system, but with the future in mind. It's a Corsair 520W modular PSU. Modular means you only plug the cables needed into sockets in the PSU, so you don't end up with cables cluttering up the pc. Here's a link to it:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-hx520w-…-power-supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html (http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-hx520w-520w-sli-certified-modular-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html)
Might not be the cheapest price out there, but it's there for an example.
Anyway, it cured my problems with the power situation, and after replacing the bad PSU, I then did the system file repair with a "Live" CD called Ultimate Boot CD for Windows (UBCD4Win). Very easy to use.
Re:As I referenced in this post, it is possible to find old versions of your registry in the C:\system volume information folder and copy them into the windows\system32\config folder. You cannot access this folder through Windows, but by using a live cd like Barts PE, you can copy out the necessary old registry files, rename them and then copy them into the config folder. When I do this, I copy, rename and replace all five hive files. This way all of the files are from the same day. I also generally go back two days in case the problem started the day before it crashed. The files you need are in the RP folders and the files in them are dated, which is how I choose the files I use to recover with.
The MS post I linked to is much more involved than what I do, but they are not taking into account that you can do all of the recovery from a boot cd with ntfs write capabilities, but it does describe the file locations and what to rename.
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Re:Originally posted by: guy
Originally posted by: guy
Curses, i grabbed a round plug keyboard from my garage that still works.. but it turns out the motherboard is faulty since it cant recognize anything through the purple keyboard PS/2 plug point.
This is a sure sign that you are entitled to build a new rig. Cloud… silver lining… there ya go 
I want to, but the problem lies with money.
Ill have to go with the AMD route since this PC is going to be extremly budget. Im looking at an AM2 mobo (geforce 6150 IGP)
Guess your plan worked for convincing me to go buy a new rig! 
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Curses, i grabbed a round plug keyboard from my garage that still works.. but it turns out the motherboard is faulty since it cant recognize anything through the purple keyboard PS/2 plug point.
This is a sure sign that you are entitled to build a new rig. Cloud… silver lining… there ya go
Re:Curses, i grabbed a round plug keyboard from my garage that still works.. but it turns out the motherboard is faulty since it cant recognize anything through the purple keyboard PS/2 plug point.
Re:I dont have a round plug key board unfortunately.
But i do have a rescue system. (5 years old.. lol)
I actually want to upgrade it from scratch, but thats my last resort.
Re:Easy thing first: got a PS/2 (round-plug) keyboard you could hitch up?
My top priority at this point would be figuring out how to use this as an ironclad reason to upgrade to a new rig :laugh:
Next-highest would be to put my HDD into some other computer as a second drive, and rescue my data off of it Before It's Too Late?. 7-year-old HDDs are scary :Q Do you have another desktop system you can use as a rescue vehicle? If so, you will probably need to know how to take NTFS Ownership of your folder within the \Documents and Settings folder of your old HDD. Blanket instructions:
1) boot the rescue system in Safe Mode.
2) find the \Documents and Settings folder on your old HDD and right-click it.
3) from the right-click menu, choose Properties and the Properties panel opens.
4) on the Properties panel, click the Security tab and then the Advanced button, and the Advanced panel opens.
5) on the Advanced panel, click the Ownership tab and assign Ownership to the account you're logged on with. reference pic :camera: ()
6) rescue stuff as desired.
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