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Friday, April 8, 2011

missing "\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE" error

SYMPTOMS:

You try to start up your Windows 2000/XP (Vista too?) computer and you get a message, white text on black background:
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
or
Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? REFORMAT? REPAIR THE OS? Yes it can be possible but their is a short way or workaround and I have tried and tested it. This tutorial is all about this issue.


Steps.

1.  Download HIREN Boot CD here: http://www.hirensbootcd.org/files/Hirens.BootCD.13.1.zip
2.  Burn to CD and boot into it.
3.  Check your memory using Memplus which is included on HIREN.  If Memplus find some error on your RAM, try to replace with working or new RAM and then try to boot. If Error still exist go on to step 4.

4.  Check your hard drive using HDAT2 which is also included on HIREN. Restart.  If the error still exist, go on with the next step.

5.  Boot on MiniXP which is also included on HIREN.
6.  On MiniXP, double click "My Computer" and  go to "C:\windows\system32\config\
7.  Backup the following file system, "software, sam, security and default"  to your USB/Pendrive or drive D:
8.  Delete the same files from your CONFIG folder.
9.  Open one of these folders to locate a Snapshot subfolder. The following path is an example of a folder  path to the Snapshot folder:
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E3-73EF-47BC-A0EB-A81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot
10. rom the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to the C:\windows\system32\config\
  • _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT
  • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
  • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
  • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
  • _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
11. Rename the files in the C:\Windows\Tmp folder as follows:
  • Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULT
  • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY to SECURITY
  • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE
  • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM
  • Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM
12.  BOOT TO WINDOWS:

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IF ALL ELSE FAILS:  Reformat or Repair your OS.  Dont forget to Backup.

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