Windows won't boot because the system file is corrupted. I'm trying to do a repair, but there is no repair option in setup and I can't seem to get anything to work right in the repair console. Please help.

Are you booting from a full instal CD or a compaq restore disk? Explain in detail exactly what error messages you are getting and the exact sequence of events.

I used to have a signature but it disappeared and I just couldn't be bothered writing another so please feel free to ingore this.

Compaq computers (along with HP, Dell, Sony, etc) are notorious in that they do not give you any repair optiona. You either use Windows System Restore or the destructive system Restore/Recovery CD supplied with your PC.

i_XpUser

Well, I'm using a full install disk, because i didn't make any recovery/restore disks.

The exact error I get is:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\system is corrupted.
To fix this problem, insert the original Windows XO installation disk and press "r" to repair the damaged files.

Following that, I tried going into setup, but there was no repair command. So then, I rebooted and went into the restore console.

It gave me a selection of E:\I386 or E:\miniNT. I chose I386. I tried using bootcfg, but I can't use any of the commands within that because it gives me an error and tells me to use chkdsk to scan for errors. Upon using chkdsk, it tells me the volume appears to be fine.

I wouldnt waste your time looking for answers reload the system from scratch.

YOu will loose what you had sorry to say, but you might be lucky and save what you got if you use the same windows folder and dont format the drive.

I have seen this problem quiet a few times, more at work than in private. WE think its a back door bug that likes destroying the config.sys

And from what we have seen and tried a fix or restore does not work.

Hope that is of some help

IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT

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It might have helped to say which system file was corrupted.

ERRORS:
missing or corrupt : \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, or
missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE, or
Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}

How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from Starting
This is basically used to recover data, as it states.

ham, if you read my last post, you would see that according to my computer, the whole system folder is corrupted.

Janos, thanks for the help. I've tried pretty much everything, but no such luck in repairing, just like you said. I'm going to have to put this in as a secondary hdd in someone else's pc, get the files I need off of it, then but it back on mine, reformat and reinstall.

Chuck, I tried those steps before, but it tells me that those files could not be found or do not exist

Larz,

Many times the procedure that Chuck2 pointed you to will work. I have used it several times to fix XP pcs that would not boot. You have to follow the steps and boot to the Recovery Console via the XP CD. If you have data you don't want to lose, it is worth a try. I replaces all 5 registry hives to get you up and running then you can restore to a particular date.

hey my bosses comp had the same problem and sorted it out by using the following: hoe it works, dunno if anyone else suggested it.

When you try to start or restart your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate

CAUSE
This issue can occur if the System or Software hive for the Windows XP installation is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION:
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Use the Recovery Console Tool:
To restore a damaged registry hive, use the Recovery Console to restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder. The Repair folder contains a copy of the system's registry hives that were created after the first successful startup of Windows XP.

WARNING : Although data should not be affected by the following procedure, you may need to restore changes you previously made to programs or system settings since the first time you successfully started Windows XP.

To replace the damaged registry hive and restore the backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder: Start your computer to the Recovery Console.

Determine if the file that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article is present, and if it is, rename it:

In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.

Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.

Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding command successfully, type ren system system.bak , and then press ENTER.

NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type ren software software.bak (instead of ren system system.bak ), and then press ENTER.

Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace "system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type copy c:\windows\repair\software (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and then press ENTER.
You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For additional information about how to use Recovery Console during startup, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP

IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding commands, you may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd ) one folder at a time before you run the preceding commands. For example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then press ENTER.

Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and restart the computer.

You Cannot Start from the Windows XP CD-ROM or Use Recovery Console
If you cannot start from the Windows XP CD-ROM or use Recovery Console and you are using the FAT file system (not the NTFS file system):
Use a startup disk from one of the following operating systems to start your computer to a command prompt:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me)

Microsoft Windows 98

Microsoft Windows 95

At the command prompt, type c:\windows .

Follow the steps in the "Use the Recovery Console Tool" section of this article, beginning with step 2b (type cd sytem32\config , and then press ENTER).

IMPORTANT : After you complete the steps in the "Use the Recovery Console Tool" section of this article, remove the startup disk, and then restart the computer.

Use System Restore to Revert to the Most-Recent Restore Point
You may want to use System Restore to revert to the most-recent restore point if you have replaced the specific registry hive, but the issue has not been resolved.
For additional information about how to use System Restore to revert to the most-recent restore point, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q307545 How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry
Run a Repair Installation of Windows XP
You may need to run a repair installation. For additional information about how to do so, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q312369 You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP

MORE INFORMATION
By default, the administrative password for Windows XP Home Edition is blank.

For additional information about how to use Recovery Console, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q307654 HOW TO: Access the Recovery Console During Startup
Q240831 How to Copy Files from Recovery Console to Removable Media
Q229716 Description of the Windows Recovery Console

HOPE IT HELPS,
NIKKO

Thanks! I had this problem tonight on my laptop (software file). My son had tons of assignments not saved and we were worried! Dell told me by phone there was nothing I could do; I'd have to hire a tech and MAYBE they could save the data. Never one to admit defeat, I went to my other computer and looked at a lot of sites for advice. I saw your response and it looked so simple I thought I'd try it. It worked! I was able to get my computer up and running well enough to back up data. I eventually had to reload Windows, which is a pain, but the main thing is that the data was saved. Thanks so much. I'll be sure to write down these steps for future reference, and be sure my son is diligent about back-up!