Error Message: \WINNT\system32\config\ systemced IS MISSING OR CORRUPT I am a novice at this computer terminology (but, I do understand I have a problem!!). I have no idea what happen between logging off at night and when I went to log on the next day. WHY????? am I getting this message and WHY can't I get to my files? To make things worse, I thought I could solve this problem and I ended up installing a 2nd copy of Windows 2000. Now, I have the CORRUPTED/MISSING version and the new one I somehow insatlled. The new one has only the OS and AOL on it. Someone PLEASE HELP!!!!! the Windows Corrupted version has my 2004 TAXES (half done) on there. Surely, there must be away of restoring the startup option that is missing/corrupted. I have been trying for days now to fix this muself (many late hours working on this-----PLEASE HELP). I would be so indebted to someone one that can help me get back the corrupted Windows with all my Programs and Files on there. I am a novice at this computer terminology and really don't know how I installed the second version. HELP!!!! I need to get my 2004 Taxes finished (ASAP) Very Confused & Tired Windows 2000 user, Sharon sad11648@aol.com Sharon Drenner

Sharon, You said you got a second version of windows installed. If you boot into that, you should be able to access the files from the other instance of windows, meaning you should be able to get your tax files providing you didn't overwrite the drive which it sounds like you didn't since you have 2 boot options. If you are able to find your tax files I'd install the tax software on the working installation to get that done, then I would talk to a computer savy friend to see if they have some better luck. I know I've been able to fix that problem in the past, but can't remember exactly. Thinking about it though, I believe that I replaced either the system file or the software file in c:\winnt\system32\config. There is an instance of each of these files in c:\winnt\repair. the 'c:' is refering to your bad windows install path. Only replace one at a time, but make sure you make a copy of the file you're replacing just in case it doesn't work. I'd also start with the system file. Once the first file is replaced, reboot and try to boot to your bad installation. If not put the original system file back and try the software file. Hopefully this will get you back to an operational state. You may want to have a the computer savvy friend with you when you do this. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions about this. Phil PS- I just spoke with an old coworker, he said that we essentially did the same thing, but only with the system file, and that file came from another system with an identical software load. Anyway, just give it a try with the file I mentioned. If this happens to work, go ahead and run Windows 2000 Service Pack 4. This is advised after there is a change in the operating system

Hi Sharon, First, avoid posting your email address because there are bots here. If this is the line: \WINNT\system32\config\systemced and it got wrapped wrong by the forum, then I'm at somewhat of a loss. There's no SYSTEMCED file on my w2k nor on the w2k CD. I have to assume it's something installed by another program. Don't panic. Somebody here will know. M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Hi Sharon, hi M2 Information from MS articles... http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q269075&fr=1 Good luck! Krystyna