windows won't start because file missing or corrupt

[yaomyheteren]

My XP Won't start!!

\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM missing or corrupt

How can I repair this??

please help me!

[Timmsen]

Hi, I had this too after installing XP Rollup update and ATI Catalyst 3.8. But I'm not sure, if this is the cause, so it would be helpful if you state your system-specs and which drivers and updates you installed.
AMD Athlon 1200 (133)
384 MB RAM
ATI Radon 9100 Sapphire
VIA KT133a-RAID
Greetings, Timmsen

[scouse]

have you installed a piece of hardware recently say like a hub or a printer or scanner or even a new ATI graphic card?. anyway hopefully THIS WILL FIX IT follow the instructions properly.

also here is a good way follow the instructions
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;307545

booting to the repair console off of any XP cd and typing chkdsk /r /p "usualy" fix this problem also "fixmbr" can fix it. note i say usualy not deffinetly does.

[Timmsen]

No, I just updated drivers from catalyst 3.6 to 3.8 and installed the recent windows rollup update. From then on, the system became unstable and I also had the problem described in this thread......

But I would not recommend to just repair the system without trying to find the cause. But anyways, your links were very helpful.

[yaomyheteren]

Well I have resolved the problem!!!Just make an FORMAT and reinstall

I believe this is a problem that cannot be resolved easier than I did

[ESALADUANE]

Check this out.

"Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=307545