Windows will not start

[Alexn]

Hello, I recently tried to start windows and the error message "Windows XP
could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE". Now, as i was browsing through the
articles for relatively similar cases a few redirected me to
"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=307545". I followed the steps
on this support guide but in 'part one' where it asks you to input into the
recovery console "copy c:\windows\system32\config\system
c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" the recovery console comes back saying something
along the lines of 'unable to copy'. Is this normal or are my suspicions
correct in saying there is another problem.

[Maincat]

"Alexn" > wrote in message
...
> Hello, I recently tried to start windows and the error message "Windows XP
> could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
> \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE". Now, as i was browsing through the
> articles for relatively similar cases a few redirected me to
> "http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=307545". I followed the
> steps
> on this support guide but in 'part one' where it asks you to input into
> the
> recovery console "copy c:\windows\system32\config\system
> c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" the recovery console comes back saying
> something
> along the lines of 'unable to copy'. Is this normal or are my suspicions
> correct in saying there is another problem.

Have you tried the Last Known Good Configuration option? Worth a try as it
seems you have not be able to log onto Windows.

[Chinatown]

You did creat e a tmp dir? ie: md tmp

have you check your spaces? copy"space"c:... and
...system"space"c:...

"Alexn" wrote:

> Hello, I recently tried to start windows and the error message "Windows XP
> could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
> \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE". Now, as i was browsing through the
> articles for relatively similar cases a few redirected me to
> "http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=307545". I followed the steps
> on this support guide but in 'part one' where it asks you to input into the
> recovery console "copy c:\windows\system32\config\system
> c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" the recovery console comes back saying something
> along the lines of 'unable to copy'. Is this normal or are my suspicions
> correct in saying there is another problem.

[Ron Martell]

Alexn > wrote:

>Hello, I recently tried to start windows and the error message "Windows XP
>could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
>\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE". Now, as i was browsing through the
>articles for relatively similar cases a few redirected me to
>"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=307545". I followed the steps
>on this support guide but in 'part one' where it asks you to input into the
>recovery console "copy c:\windows\system32\config\system
>c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" the recovery console comes back saying something
>along the lines of 'unable to copy'. Is this normal or are my suspicions
>correct in saying there is another problem.

That would be normal if the original file is actually missing rather
than being corrupt. Try entering the following command from the
recovery console:

DIR C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

If it cannot find the file then it is indeed missing and would explain
why the copy would not work.

See MVP Greg Palmer's web site at
http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=corruptreg for an
automated approach to the recovery from your error.

Good luck




Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

[Alexn]

apologies, it was the \SYSTEM file not the \SOFTWARE file, i'm not too sure
if this makes a difference or not

"Ron Martell" wrote:

> Alexn > wrote:
>
> >Hello, I recently tried to start windows and the error message "Windows XP
> >could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
> >\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE". Now, as i was browsing through the
> >articles for relatively similar cases a few redirected me to
> >"http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=307545". I followed the steps
> >on this support guide but in 'part one' where it asks you to input into the
> >recovery console "copy c:\windows\system32\config\system
> >c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" the recovery console comes back saying something
> >along the lines of 'unable to copy'. Is this normal or are my suspicions
> >correct in saying there is another problem.
>
> That would be normal if the original file is actually missing rather
> than being corrupt. Try entering the following command from the
> recovery console:
>
> DIR C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
>
> If it cannot find the file then it is indeed missing and would explain
> why the copy would not work.
>
> See MVP Greg Palmer's web site at
> http://www.palmersoft.co.uk/main.asp?content=corruptreg for an
> automated approach to the recovery from your error.
>
> Good luck
>
>
>
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
> --
> Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
> On-Line Help Computer Service
> http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
> Syberfix Remote Computer Repair
>
> "Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
> has never been in bed with a mosquito."
>