File Windows\system32\config\system damaged or missing, you and I may receive such a message during the initial phase of loading the operating system. The error occurs when the registry is seriously damaged. I’ll tell you right away there are few ways to fix this problem, but they exist. The main difficulty is that you cannot boot the operating system. I'll give you four ways to fix this problem, but you'll need a Windows XP installation disk or an ERD Commander disk, or at worst a simple Live CD.
- First of all, this problem happens due to many errors on the hard drive, try using the CHKDSK C: / R command in the recovery console, the errors will be corrected and your system may boot. You can also remove your hard drive and connect it to another system unit, then from another Windows you can check your system partition for errors, you can read the full article on using the utility
- You can boot from the ERD Commander disk and try to apply a system restore. By the way, the ERD Commander system administrator disk can help out in other difficult situations, read the full article about this tool.
- Another way. If you had system recovery enabled, then you will need an ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. This is the point. We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in the folder
- Last option. If system recovery was disabled for you, then you need to replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder, this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation, this can be done using any Live CD .
Now about each method in detail.
File Windows\system32\config\system
To implement the first method, we need a Windows XP installation disk, so we boot into the recovery console. Those who don’t know how to do this can read our article In the recovery console, let’s check our system drive (C:) for errors. When you start booting from the Windows XP installation disk, the message “Press any key to boot from CD...” will appear on the screen, press any key at once, otherwise the message will disappear within 10 seconds and booting from the Windows XP installation disk will not occur.
To restore Windows XP using the recovery console, press R
Enter the administrator password. Enter the administrator password. If there is no password, then press Enter on the keyboard.
When using the Chkdsk program in the Windows XP Recovery Console, they mainly use the /R parameter, which includes the functions of another /P parameter. Therefore, we will use the /R parameter
Enter the command Chkdsk /r
and press Enter, the hard drive is checked for errors.
Second way.
To implement the second method of eliminating the error The Windows\system32\config\system file is damaged or missing We need an ERD Commander disk, we boot from the disk.
Click start, then system tools System Tools->System Restore and select system restore. Select a system restore point and restore.
Third way.
We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in a folder
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , so, in the folder highlighted in red, intact registry files are stored. We need to copy these files and replace the damaged registry files with them from the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder
We boot from the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD; if you are working from the ERD Commander disk, we do not connect to the system, that is, at the beginning of loading the ERD Commander disk, select (None), otherwise you will not be able to replace the registry files.
go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config. Use the slider to open the full file name and delete (Delete) damaged registry files. Before deleting, you can copy them somewhere just in case, you never know.
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , select the files, right-click and select Copy to…
REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAMREGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
REGISTRY_MACHINE\DEFAULT
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SYSTEM Now we paste these files in place of the deleted ones in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder.
Select the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config and click OK. Backup registry files are copied to replace damaged ones. Then we go to the Config folder and rename them, deleting the unnecessary ones - REGISTRY_MACHINE \, thereby leaving new registry files SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM.
Fourth method
You can also replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder; this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation; this can be done using the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. But be aware that some of your applications will refuse to work and will have to be reinstalled, since the system state will be shown at the time of installation.
Backup copies of the registry files created during the installation of Windows XP are located in the repair folder located at
C:\Windows\repair . We go into it, select and copy with the Copy to... command the registry files we need SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM,
Then go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config, select it and click OK.
Backup registry files replace damaged ones. Replace file? We agree - Yes
File Windows\system32\config\system damaged or missing, you and I may receive such a message during the initial phase of loading the operating system. The error occurs when the registry is seriously damaged. I’ll tell you right away there are few ways to fix this problem, but they exist. The main difficulty is that you cannot boot the operating system. I'll give you four ways to fix this problem, but you'll need a Windows XP installation disk or an ERD Commander disk, or at worst a simple Live CD.
- First of all, this problem happens due to many errors on the hard drive, try using the CHKDSK C: / R command in the recovery console, the errors will be corrected and your system may boot. You can also remove your hard drive and connect it to another system unit, then from another Windows you can check your system partition for errors, you can read the full article on using the utility
- You can boot from the ERD Commander disk and try to apply a system restore. By the way, the ERD Commander system administrator disk can help out in other difficult situations, read the full article about this tool.
- Another way. If you had system recovery enabled, then you will need an ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. This is the point. We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in the folder
- Last option. If system recovery was disabled for you, then you need to replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder, this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation, this can be done using any Live CD .
Now about each method in detail.
File Windows\system32\config\system
To implement the first method, we need a Windows XP installation disk, so we boot into the recovery console. Those who don’t know how to do this can read our article In the recovery console, let’s check our system drive (C:) for errors. When you start booting from the Windows XP installation disk, the message “Press any key to boot from CD...” will appear on the screen, press any key at once, otherwise the message will disappear within 10 seconds and booting from the Windows XP installation disk will not occur.
To restore Windows XP using the recovery console, press R
Enter the administrator password. Enter the administrator password. If there is no password, then press Enter on the keyboard.
When using the Chkdsk program in the Windows XP Recovery Console, they mainly use the /R parameter, which includes the functions of another /P parameter. Therefore, we will use the /R parameter
Enter the command Chkdsk /r
and press Enter, the hard drive is checked for errors.
Second way.
To implement the second method of eliminating the error The Windows\system32\config\system file is damaged or missing We need an ERD Commander disk, we boot from the disk.
Click start, then system tools System Tools->System Restore and select system restore. Select a system restore point and restore.
Third way.
We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in a folder
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , so, in the folder highlighted in red, intact registry files are stored. We need to copy these files and replace the damaged registry files with them from the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder
We boot from the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD; if you are working from the ERD Commander disk, we do not connect to the system, that is, at the beginning of loading the ERD Commander disk, select (None), otherwise you will not be able to replace the registry files.
go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config. Use the slider to open the full file name and delete (Delete) damaged registry files. Before deleting, you can copy them somewhere just in case, you never know.
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , select the files, right-click and select Copy to…
REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAMREGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
REGISTRY_MACHINE\DEFAULT
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SYSTEM Now we paste these files in place of the deleted ones in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder.
Select the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config and click OK. Backup registry files are copied to replace damaged ones. Then we go to the Config folder and rename them, deleting the unnecessary ones - REGISTRY_MACHINE \, thereby leaving new registry files SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM.
Fourth method
You can also replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder; this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation; this can be done using the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. But be aware that some of your applications will refuse to work and will have to be reinstalled, since the system state will be shown at the time of installation.
Backup copies of the registry files created during the installation of Windows XP are located in the repair folder located at
C:\Windows\repair . We go into it, select and copy with the Copy to... command the registry files we need SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM,
Then go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config, select it and click OK.
Backup registry files replace damaged ones. Replace file? We agree - Yes
Hello friends, yesterday I encountered an error that Windows XP presented in this form:
It looks like this:
If you are reading this article, then most likely you have the same problem and now we will solve it. I understand that this will be extra text and it is better to immediately move on to solving the problem, but I will still make a few introductory words and tell you what this error means and why it most often appears. By the way, if there are problems with the registry, the following errors may also appear:
– “Windows XP cannot start due to a corrupted or missing file \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE”
– “Stop: c0000218 (Registry file failure) The registry cannot load the partition family (file) \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or backup copy.”
What does the error “Windows can’t start because the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\config\system file is corrupted or missing” mean?
This error appears mainly in the following cases:
- The computer does not turn off correctly. That is, not through “Start”, etc., but directly from the outlet :) this may seem funny to some, but believe me, many people do this.
- The second option is a problem with the hard drive. It is possible that your hard drive has begun to crumble, that is, bad sectors have appeared on it. This is a very unpleasant thing, since you will most likely have to replace the hard drive.
Now closer to the heart of the matter.
How to fix the error
There are two ways that I know of that can get rid of this problem. No, there are even three methods, including reinstalling Windows (), but this is not suitable for us as an option for restoring the system. Today I will tell you only about one method that helped me. I’ll write about another one later in a separate article.
We will need a boot disk with some kind of file manager, I used a good disk, you can check your PC for viruses, but that’s not about that now.
1. Boot from the boot disk; if booting from the disk does not work for you, then you need to go to the drive BIOS ().
2. Boot from the boot disk, and launch any file manager, if yours is the same as mine, then there is a good file manager on your desktop.
3. After launching the file manager, open the file in it (if it allows you to work with two windows) in one window and in the other \windows\repair\system.
4. Now the file \windows\repair\system copy to \windows\system32\config\systemand agree to replace the file.
A few words about what we did. We have transferred the undamaged backup file from the folder \windows\repair\systemand replaced it with a non-working file in the folder \windows\system32\config\systemactually through which Windows did not boot.
Now we restart the computer and enjoy the working system. All these actions can be performed from the command line with the following commands:
Copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\system32\config\system.old
delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
Other solutions to the problem:
- If what is written above does not help, then you can also try “Last Known Good Configuration”. Read more in the article
- If you had System Restore enabled, you can try a rollback. More details here
After these steps, we get a working system, with all programs installed. There is another way, which, as promised, I will write in the following articles. I hope my advice helped you. Good luck!
Also on the site:
Updated: February 17, 2013 by: admin
File Windows\system32\config\system damaged or missing, you and I may receive such a message during the initial phase of loading the operating system. The error occurs when the registry is seriously damaged. I’ll tell you right away there are few ways to fix this problem, but they exist. The main difficulty is that you cannot boot the operating system. I'll give you four ways to fix this problem, but you'll need a Windows XP installation disk or an ERD Commander disk, or at worst a simple Live CD.
- First of all, this problem happens due to many errors on the hard drive, try using the CHKDSK C: / R command in the recovery console, the errors will be corrected and your system may boot. You can also remove your hard drive and connect it to another system unit, then from another Windows you can check your system partition for errors, you can read the full article on using the utility
- You can boot from the ERD Commander disk and try to apply a system restore. By the way, the ERD Commander system administrator disk can help out in other difficult situations, read the full article about this tool.
- Another way. If you had system recovery enabled, then you will need an ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. This is the point. We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in the folder
- Last option. If system recovery was disabled for you, then you need to replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder, this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation, this can be done using any Live CD .
Now about each method in detail.
File Windows\system32\config\system
To implement the first method, we need a Windows XP installation disk, so we boot into the recovery console. Those who don’t know how to do this can read our article In the recovery console, let’s check our system drive (C:) for errors. When you start booting from the Windows XP installation disk, the message “Press any key to boot from CD...” will appear on the screen, press any key at once, otherwise the message will disappear within 10 seconds and booting from the Windows XP installation disk will not occur.
To restore Windows XP using the recovery console, press R
Enter the administrator password. Enter the administrator password. If there is no password, then press Enter on the keyboard.
When using the Chkdsk program in the Windows XP Recovery Console, they mainly use the /R parameter, which includes the functions of another /P parameter. Therefore, we will use the /R parameter
Enter the command Chkdsk /r
and press Enter, the hard drive is checked for errors.
Second way.
To implement the second method of eliminating the error The Windows\system32\config\system file is damaged or missing We need an ERD Commander disk, we boot from the disk.
Click start, then system tools System Tools->System Restore and select system restore. Select a system restore point and restore.
Third way.
We all know that Windows XP stores restore points in a folder
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , so, in the folder highlighted in red, intact registry files are stored. We need to copy these files and replace the damaged registry files with them from the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder
We boot from the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD; if you are working from the ERD Commander disk, we do not connect to the system, that is, at the beginning of loading the ERD Commander disk, select (None), otherwise you will not be able to replace the registry files.
go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config. Use the slider to open the full file name and delete (Delete) damaged registry files. Before deleting, you can copy them somewhere just in case, you never know.
System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6- 8E56211F48E2)\RP\ snapshot , select the files, right-click and select Copy to…
REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAMREGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
REGISTRY_MACHINE\DEFAULT
REGISTRY_MACHINE\SYSTEM Now we paste these files in place of the deleted ones in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder.
Select the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config and click OK. Backup registry files are copied to replace damaged ones. Then we go to the Config folder and rename them, deleting the unnecessary ones - REGISTRY_MACHINE \, thereby leaving new registry files SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM.
Fourth method
You can also replace your damaged registry files with files from the C:\Windows\repair folder; this folder contains backup copies of your registry created by the operating system during its installation; this can be done using the ERD Commander disk or any Live CD. But be aware that some of your applications will refuse to work and will have to be reinstalled, since the system state will be shown at the time of installation.
Backup copies of the registry files created during the installation of Windows XP are located in the repair folder located at
C:\Windows\repair . We go into it, select and copy with the Copy to... command the registry files we need SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM,
Then go to the folder C:\Windows\System32\Config, select it and click OK.
Backup registry files replace damaged ones. Replace file? We agree - Yes
The message that the Windows\system32\config\system file is damaged causes real panic among some users. You can understand them - damage to the registry can hardly be called a pleasant event. However, you shouldn’t worry too much: you can try to recover the files.
The main difficulty in eliminating such an error is the inability to start the system. Therefore, there are not many options for fixing it, but they still exist, so every user can try to restore the windows system32 config system file.
Before you start using additional software and replacing a damaged file, try the easier way - loading the system's Last Known Good Configuration.
You shouldn't rely on this method, but sometimes it helps solve the problem.
When you select this operation, Windows will try to replace the existing configuration files with the data that previously ensured correct loading. If this error correction option does not help, you can move on to other recovery tools.
File recovery
Restoring Windows\System32\config\system in general terms is replacing a damaged file from the “Repair” backup folder.
This procedure can be performed in several ways, the features of which will be described below.
If you are using Windows XP, try using the Recovery Console to restore a working configuration.
CHKDSK will scan the disk, look for errors, and try to fix them. After rebooting, check if the system starts working. If not, move on to the next method.
ERD Commander
Since you can’t get into the Windows system, you’ll have to use the ERD Commander mode and try to restore the file through it.
After restarting the computer, try logging into Windows again - the error about the presence of a damaged file should no longer appear.
Manually replacing files
All Windows XP restore points are stored in the System Volume Information\restore(E9F1FFFA-7940-4ABA-BEC6-8E56211F48E2)\RP\snapshot directory. Here you can also find working registry files and replace damaged data from the System32\Config folder with them.
A similar replacement can be made from another system directory - the “Repair” folder, which contains backup copies of the registry created during the installation of Windows. The main disadvantage of this method is the need to reinstall some programs, since information about them will not be in the new registry.
Command line
If you do not have a LiveCD or an installation flash drive, you can try to restore the system using the command line. To get into it, press the F8 key when starting your computer and select “Safe Mode with Command Line Support.”
The main thing when using the command line is to correctly specify the drive letter on which the operating system is installed. This is usually the C: drive, but there may be other options (D, E).
To replace, you need to enter several commands sequentially:
- Backup: copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\system32\config\system.bak.
- Deleting a damaged file: delete c:\windows\system32\config\system.
- Restoring from a backup: copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system.
All files from the “config” folder are restored in a similar way - you just need to replace the “system” value at the end of the command with “software” or, for example, “sam”.
After rebooting, the computer should start normally, without displaying a message about corrupted system files.