Dear Group:

Here is what led up to the 'System32\config folder entirely unreadable' message.

1) Left my PC on overnight, next morning I had a blank desktop.

2) Moved the mouse around and clicked a few times, no response.

3) Restarted PC.

4) Missing NTLDR so booted from install CD.

5) Went to 'r' for 'repair' and did a 'FIXBOOT' and 'FIXMBR'.

6) Resart in normal mode.

7) Earlier shutdown was a powerdown so now computer is checking boot drive.

8) Messages I see during this check...
-Folder \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Config is entirely unreadable.
-Folder entry removed.
-File and folder verification is complete.
-Convert lost chains to files(Y/N)? Yes
-28640KB in 209 recovered files.
-Windows is verifying free space...

9) Then 'physical memory dump' screen appears.

10) Restart by power down.

11) Tried to restart, press f8 and chose 'Last Known Good Configuration'

12) Message says - 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Config\System

Now, here is what I have to work with...

I used Norton Ghost over a month ago to make a bootable copy of the problem drive. The duplicate drive HAS NOT been updated since.

Also, the duplicate drive has been used as a boot drive for other work I do.

This means additional programs have been installed on the duplicate drive so there have been registry changes since over a month ago.

What are my best option for restoring the Config folder on the problem drive?

I sure hope someone can help!!

Thanx!!

wayne

Greetings,

The first thing I would do is to do a virus scan. Boot off the norton CD and scan your entire computer.

If nothing is found, I would then try a restore of XP. Run the set up off of a bootable cd or your XP boot disks. If the restore fails, you'll have to do a fresh install.

XTC

Hey XTC,

Thanx for the speedy reply.

Question 1:

After the virus scan can I copy the Config folder from the backup to the problem drive even though it has not been updated for over a month?

Question 2:

I am not clear about how to restore XP from the bootable CD. How do I do this?

Thanx!!

wayne

You will want to check out Microsoft article 307545. If you have the System restore turned on this will bring you back to right before this problem occurred.

The answer to your questions:

1) System restore may not work, because it seems to me that you can't boot into XP. If you can get into XP via safe mode (Hit f8 during startup), then try the system restore option. Copying the config folder from your backup might solve the current problem, but if it hasn't been updated in a while and you have installed new software since the last backup, it could cause more problems. This would also be an issue if you have done a windows update since the last backup.

2) As for booting off the cd and restoring. Download and copy the boot disks (6 of them) to floppy. Here's the link:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q310/9/94.asp&NoWebContent=1

Put the floppy’s in when you start up the xp machine. Once loaded you'll hit the blue menu screen. Select R for repair, and follow though the instructions.

Chances are though; you'll need to do a fresh install. Seems like something corrupted your files in your config folder, and the best thing from here is just to back up all data that you can, and do a fresh install of XP.

The best way to find out, if no virus was found, what exactly caused the problem, think back to the last thing that you installed on your system. That's probably what the culprit is.

XTC

There is another option. Lots of typing but it will put your system back to normal. You have a corrupted system registry files and the restore for them is in the following two links. You will need your XP CD to boot into the repair console and then follow the first link.

First Link

Second Link

Good Luck.

If teri would have read my reply, he/she would have known I already suggested that and provided a link to get the boot disks. I know we are all here to help, but reading each others replies might be a prerequisite before replying.

One last thing,

Use my advice on this subject. A bit less confusing then teri's and once the boot disks are finished loading, you have the repair option.

teri is just giving you the manual way of doing things, the restore function in the xp startup does exactly the same thing, but automaticly. Good info though on teri's part, but not nessesary in this case.

Hey folks,

Thanx bunches to XTC, xptech, and teri for all the suggestions.

Response Number 3: Hi xptech --

I will look at Microsoft article 307545.

Also, I am not sure if the 'System Restore' was turned on or off on the problem drive. In my 'Origional Message' item #11, I mention restarting the PC and pressing f8 and then selecting the chose 'Last Known Good Configuration'. Is this what you are refering to?

If it is then in my Origional Message item #12 I noted that the PC gives me this...

Message says - 'Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Config\System'

Response Number 4: Hi XTC --

I have the origional install CD. Do I still need the 6 boot disks you mentioned? Also, when I boot from the CD and hit 'r' for 'repair' it takes me to a DOS prompt with a lot of commands. Is there something in the DOS command list I need to use?

What am I missing?

And finally, is the 6 boot disks 'repair' different from the CD 'repair proceedure?

Response Number 5: Hi teri --

Thanx for the links.

Response Number 6: Hi again XTC --

You mentioned 'the restore function in the xp startup'. Is this the 'restore' function on the XP install CD or the 'restore' function in the 6 disks set you mention?

And again thanx bunches to everyone for the patience and help.

Thanx!!

wayne

Download the boot disks off the link I gave you. Put them on floppys. This is usually the way I do it. You should not be going to a Dos Prompt when pressing the "r" key, when booting off the cd, don't know to much about that.

The restore function is available when you boot up using the floppys. Use the floppys, and follow the instrustions for a repair. If the repair fails, format, then reinstall xp.

XTC

Hey XTC:

Thanx for the info.

I will give it a try and let you folks know about my progress.

Thanx again!!

k I know what's going on with your repair off of the cd now. Goto this link and follow the instrustions. You need go into the setup first not the recovery console. Try booting off the CD and follow the instructions illistrated in the below link:

http://www.muisejt.com/xprepair.html

Same goes for the boot disks. DO NOT PRESS "r" to enter the "recovery console" Press enter to set up, then do your repair from there. Sorry about that, I was under the impression you were entering set up before hitting "r". Good luck, and no probs on the help on behalf of all of us on this issue, that's what we are all here for.

XTC

Hey XTC:

Thanx bunches for clearing that up.

I will let you know in a couple of days how the repairs went.

BTW, what is the "Alert Me" icon for in you messages?

Thanx!!

wayne

Wayne,

The "Alert Me" is to alert me to get my attention on a certain subject or reply.

XTC

Had sme problem with roxio / dvd software corrupting my sys 32 file i had no choice except to reinstall chances are youll only give it a bandaid