Quick help needed urgently!!! System file missing/corrupt!

Wizard Keyaz · 17 Feb 2009 at 03:14

I have this error message and can't open the computer, any suggestions on what you can do?

Here's the error message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt \windowssystem32\config\system. you can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using using the original set cd rom. select R at the first screen 2 start repair

Can you do this without the CD?

Aod · 17 Feb 2009 at 07:10

no, you need the CD.

danielmp007 · 17 Feb 2009 at 12:05

Well you can!!

You need to take out the hard drive and open it on another computer.

Then you need to find the OS your using and copy and paste/replace the "\windowssystem32\config\system" file from your working one into the correct place on the broken 1.

This takes longer than you think...

In all, just get the disc and click repair

Much easier

Mattus · 17 Feb 2009 at 18:01

danielmp007 said:
Then you need to find the OS your using and copy and paste/replace the "\windowssystem32\config\system" file from your working one into the correct place on the broken 1.

Unlikely to work. You're getting that error because the system's registry is corrupt, and it contains information which is specific to that OS install, so copying the file from another machine is unlikely to do it.

Try this from MS.