missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

davet82

xp pro sp3 wont boot with thread title message

if i copy the config file form another xp machine this should fix my problem? i have removed the HD from the laptop and is docked to my PC.

i tried the microsoft solution with the cd and recovery console -

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

but the highlighted part did not work for me, file does not exsist.

any suggestions besides reinstalling (will do if i must )

yoyo

davet82 wrote: »

xp pro sp3 wont boot with thread title message

if i copy the config file form another xp machine this should fix my problem? i have removed the HD from the laptop and is docked to my PC.

i tried the microsoft solution with the cd and recovery console -

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

but the highlighted part did not work for me, file does not exsist.

any suggestions besides reinstalling (will do if i must )

I would check the hard disk is ok first, run a diagnostics scan on it. I'm guessing the C:\windows\repair folder doesn't exist on your install hence the error, a repair install should sort it anyways, but I think your disk may be failing

Nick

davet82

yoyo wrote: »

I would check the hard disk is ok first, run a diagnostics scan on it. I'm guessing the C:\windows\repair folder doesn't exist on your install hence the error, a repair install should sort it anyways, but I think your disk may be failing

Nick

done a chkdsk and seems fine, the repair folder is there. I plugged the disk into the pc and copied the files that way as suggested on ms site but still the same answer. I am considering an install on the disk but its not partitioned so i'm not sure what the outcome would be.

i have another xp machine and am tempted to copy over the system\config folder to it but once again i'm unsure of what the results would be

thanks for the reply btw

yoyo

davet82 wrote: »

done a chkdsk and seems fine, the repair folder is there. I plugged the disk into the pc and copied the files that way as suggested on ms site but still the same answer. I am considering an install on the disk but its not partitioned so i'm not sure what the outcome would be.

i have another xp machine and am tempted to copy over the system\config folder to it but once again i'm unsure of what the results would be

thanks for the reply btw

Where are you copying the repair folder from? It seems to me your copying from your C:\ drive to another is what you want. If on your working machine you have a C:\Windows\Repair folder and your other drive is recognized as drive for e.g the command should work:
copy c:\windows\repair\system d:\windows\system32\config\system
etc..

Nick

Allyall

Funny Coincidence, But another thread about a day ago I recommended this same fix (For a different problem).. (Probably because it works )

Repairing Windows XP in Eight Commands

Amongst the files it fixes are:

• Windows Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
• Corrupt registry hives (\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\CONFIG\\xxxxxx)
• Invalid BOOT.INI files
• A corrupt NTOSKRNL.EXE
• A missing NT Loader (NTLDR)

Proceeding With the Repair Functions

• There are eight commands you must enter in sequence to repair any of the issues I noted in the opening of this guide. I will introduce them here, and then show the results graphically in the next six steps. These commands are as follows:
  • C: CD ..
  • C: ATTRIB -H C:\\boot.ini
  • C: ATTRIB -S C:\\boot.ini
  • C: ATTRIB -R C:\\boot.ini
  • C: del boot.ini
  • C: BOOTCFG /Rebuild
  • C: CHKDSK /R /F
  • C: FIXBOOT

Gone Drinking

You don't have a repair folder. That's the problem. You need to copy those folders from a restore point. Here's what you need to do:

In recovery console type this:

Cd system~1\_resto~1

In there, type dir. You'll be given a bunch of folders with RP and a number beside them. Those are windows restore points, use the second to last one. So if the last was RP214 use RP213.

Cd RP213

Once in that folder, type:

Cd snapshot

Once in the snapshot folder, type:

copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software

This will replace the software folder with the one from your restore point.

No harm in replacing the system folder aswell:

copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system

Exit and try booting.

davet82

Gone Drinking wrote: »

You don't have a repair folder. That's the problem. You need to copy those folders from a restore point. Here's what you need to do:

In recovery console type this:

Cd system~1\_resto~1

In there, type dir. You'll be given a bunch of folders with RP and a number beside them. Those are windows restore points, use the second to last one. So if the last was RP214 use RP213.

Cd RP213

Once in that folder, type:

Cd snapshot

Once in the snapshot folder, type:

copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software

This will replace the software folder with the one from your restore point.

No harm in replacing the system folder aswell:

copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system

Exit and try booting.

thanks for that, i tried to boot in safemode after doing this but it gets to system32\drivers\bmload.sys and then the blue screen of death

i've recovered anything i want off the disk but i really dont want to reinstall (i had it just the way i liked it )

any other ideas?

thanks for the reply

Allyall

Did you try the eight commands?

It specifies that it fixes your problem, I often use it, as it speeds up all the other fixes that you are looking for. Very handy

davet82

Allyall wrote: »

Did you try the eight commands?
It specifies that it fixes your problem, I often use it, as it speeds up all the other fixes that you are looking for. Very handy

Yeah i tried this. Windows is now booting but getting a blue screen now i think i'm fighting a loosing battle with this. I have recovered all my files from the disk but i had a lot of software installed on it some of which i don't have any more

Gone Drinking

What's the bluescreen error now?

riclad

try f8 safe mode, directory service restore, use up,down ,arrows, enter= select ,
Works most of the time ,if windows is crashing,not booting,
maybe some files were deleted by a virus.

Allyall

If you have access to another PC, download Hirens Boot Cd and either Burn it to CD or Make it a Bootable USB.

From there, you can enter Mini Windows XP, and load up all of the tools included on the CD.

There are many tools you can use on the CD, one tool, which sometimes works, and is worth a shot is, After you load up Mini Windows XP, Open Hirens Tools Menu, then Go to Registry Tools >> Registry Restore Wizard. Choose an older date, It works like System Restore, and can try and restore your PC to the last time it worked.

Also worth checking the Hard Drive with the Hard Disk Tools, and use the (if available) correct tool for your Hard Drive, E..G. Seagate, Fujitsu, Samsung etc...

davet82

Gone Drinking wrote: »

What's the bluescreen error now?

no message, just codes

windows is attempting to boot, have tried in safemode, as the files/lines are loading in safemode it stops at system32\drivers\bmload.sys and blue screen appears: stop 0x0000007B amd some other various codes

possibly bad driver or more likely some malware

when i browsed the disk i noticed the permissions on the disk were missing and had to ownership of various system folders

davet82

Allyall wrote: »

If you have access to another PC, download Hirens Boot Cd and either Burn it to CD or Make it a Bootable USB.

From there, you can enter Mini Windows XP, and load up all of the tools included on the CD.

There are many tools you can use on the CD, one tool, which sometimes works, and is worth a shot is, After you load up Mini Windows XP, Open Hirens Tools Menu, then Go to Registry Tools >> Registry Restore Wizard. Choose an older date, It works like System Restore, and can try and restore your PC to the last time it worked.

Also worth checking the Hard Drive with the Hard Disk Tools, and use the (if available) correct tool for your Hard Drive, E..G. Seagate, Fujitsu, Samsung etc...

thanks for the links i'll have a look

riclad

TRY using R repair mode,boot from windows cd,choose setup,look for r repair menu ,option,
,press R, enter .
i think if r doesnt work ,you need to do a windows reinstall.
Safe mode not loading = multiple files,missing ,damaged. See
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
does dos prompt work from safe mode.
you may have a virus,deletes drivers,registry files ,do a full scan when you get pc loading an os.you can use a livecd ,eg mint ,boot from cd, to backup files before install.
Choose setup, install ,use existing drive format,
DO NOT format drive option,.if you choose a new install of windows.if you wanna save your docs,mp3s,old files.
i dont think r option,s gonna work at this stage.

davet82

riclad wrote: »

TRY using R repair mode,boot from windows cd,choose setup,look for r repair menu ,option,
,press R, enter .
i think if r doesnt work ,you need to do a windows reinstall.
Safe mode not loading = multiple files,missing ,damaged. See
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058
does dos prompt work from safe mode.
you may have a virus,deletes drivers,registry files ,do a full scan when you get pc loading an os.you can use a livecd ,eg mint ,boot from cd, to backup files before install.
Choose setup, install ,use existing drive format,
DO NOT format drive option,.if you choose a new install of windows.if you wanna save your docs,mp3s,old files.
i dont think r option,s gonna work at this stage.

i have saved all my files as i docked the laptop HD to my desktop computer, its the software which i cannot replace is the problem i dont want to format. The disk isnt partitioned so an installation of ab OS is probably not a runner, i have an windows 7 cd but i dont think an upgrade from xp is possible even if the sofware was compatible for various reasons. i will try run a VS on the HD from my desktop and see what turns up.


thanks for all the replys so far

davet82

no virus on the HD

went back into repair console and it now asking me for my admin password (which it had not done up until now) and is not accepting the correct password, it keeps getting weirder, i cant give up though

davet82

ok can get to windows logon screen now but i get the following message at where the logon screen should be '"When trying to update a password this return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is incorrect' and the system resets

nearly there

the problem with the blue screen was sorted by resetting the bios

davet82

well i've replace the system32/config folder from a working xp machine, i can log in now but i am now getting a windows product activation error: A problem is preventing windows from accurately checking the license for this computer error code 0x80004005

anyone came across this before?

yoyo

Try booting in to safe mode, if you can run this command to re arm XP:

rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk

May work

Nick

davet82

yoyo wrote: »

Try booting in to safe mode, if you can run this command to re arm XP:

May work

Nick

i cannot run any commands, password not accepted to logon to \WINDOWS

i'm trying a repair install now

fingers crossed

davet82

well it worked i'm back in now, not quite the way it should be but i'm getting there


thanks for all the replys