Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows NT/2000 => Topic started by: carol218 on November 18, 2009, 03:49:28 PM

Title: missing or corrupt files
Post by: carol218 on November 18, 2009, 03:49:28 PM
how can i repair or find files to make windows 2000 start up? message says windows can't start because winnt\system32\config\system ced is missing or corrupt. i bought two startup disks, but they do no do anything. windows does not start. i can get into safe mode, but when i hit enter, it goes out.
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: Allan on November 18, 2009, 03:56:34 PM
Boot to the OS CD and select R (Recovery Console)

At the command prompt type:

ren c:\windows\system32\config\system system.old
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config

Reboot
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: carol218 on November 18, 2009, 04:04:47 PM
i don't have the os cd. i bought two discs on ebay, but can't get into windows to repair
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: Allan on November 18, 2009, 04:14:02 PM
This link is for a recovery console .iso for Win XP. I do not know if it will work with Win2K, but you can try - otherwise you'll need to borrow a 2K CD from someone: http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=150212 
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: Computer_Commando on November 18, 2009, 05:02:36 PM
Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716)
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: carol218 on November 18, 2009, 07:08:28 PM
thanks for trying,  but it still won't open windows. looks like i'll wind up borrowing the windows 2000 disc. i had one, but my grandson traded it for a video game. i'll see if the guy still has it. thanks again
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: BC_Programmer on November 18, 2009, 08:52:08 PM
but can't get into windows to repair

your supposed to boot from the disc.
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: Allan on November 19, 2009, 05:51:17 AM
As BC says, you need to burn the .iso image to a cd (using a utility that burns .iso images), then change the boot order in your bios so the cd is at the top of the list, then boot to the CD. You are not supposed to get into Windows.
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: BC_Programmer on November 19, 2009, 04:49:08 PM
As BC says, you need to burn the .iso image to a cd (using a utility that burns .iso images), then change the boot order in your bios so the cd is at the top of the list, then boot to the CD. You are not supposed to get into Windows.

heh, thanks for fleshing that out, I was only half-awake when I posted  :)
Title: Re: missing or corrupt files
Post by: Allan on November 19, 2009, 04:55:18 PM
heh, thanks for fleshing that out, I was only half-awake when I posted  :)
That's cool. You've done it for me too.