Corrupt "system" file.

[Maddie]

Hey there. My friend has a copy of XP Home, and I'm not -
sure- what he did, but it gives him the message that his
C:\windows\config\system file is corrupt. It stops him
from installing files, but he can still use the internet,
programs, etc.

Should there be a way to repair it, or replace it? His
computer came with XP Home, so I don't think he has a CD.

-Maddie

[dev]

/Maddie/ said:

> Hey there. My friend has a copy of XP Home, and I'm not -
> sure- what he did, but it gives him the message that his
> C:\windows\config\system file is corrupt. It stops him
> from installing files, but he can still use the internet,
> programs, etc.
>
> Should there be a way to repair it, or replace it? His
> computer came with XP Home, so I don't think he has a CD.

Try a boot into Safe Mode, by hitting F8 just before the "Starting
Windows" screen would appear (takes a bit of practice).
Choose LAST GOOD.

If that does nothing, use a working PC to read this first...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q823614
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

Related info is here...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q307545
describes a three-step process to extract a copy of the registry
from the System Restore SVI folder.

Info on dealing with corruption issues...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705

Reinstall/repair tutorials (if needed) are here...
http://WWW.WEBTREE.CA/windowsxp/
http://michaelstevenstech.com

After your system is restored, the ERUNT utility available here may
make it easier to fix the problem if it recurs...
http://HOME.T-ONLINE.DE/home/lars.hederer/erunt

If the problem persists, try swapping current RAM (even if it checks
good) for a single, high-quality 512Mb chip. XP reportedly is sensitive
to memory timing.


--
For most XP answers and tweaks...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://dougknox.com http://aumha.org
http://support.microsoft.com

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from
Starting
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

To investigate the root cause(s) of the problem:

How to Troubleshoot Registry Corruption Issues
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822705


Bruce Chambers

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"Maddie" > wrote in message
...
> Hey there. My friend has a copy of XP Home, and I'm not -
> sure- what he did, but it gives him the message that his
> C:\windows\config\system file is corrupt. It stops him
> from installing files, but he can still use the internet,
> programs, etc.
>
> Should there be a way to repair it, or replace it? His
> computer came with XP Home, so I don't think he has a CD.
>
> -Maddie

[Plato]

dev wrote:
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q823614

that link broke 3 days ago, had to redo some of my links as well. I dont
know what the replacement link is.


--
http://www.bootdisk.com/