Question : SYSTEM 32 CONFIG SYSTEM FILES MISSING

"windows could not start because the folowing file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
HAVE RUN A CHECK DISK TWICE AND TRIED WIN XP REPAIR OPTION TO NO AVAIL IS THERE A WAY OF REPLACING THE MISSING SYSTEM FILE :)
 

Answer : SYSTEM 32 CONFIG SYSTEM FILES MISSING

An easier way is to boot from a Bart PE CD and use its file manager for manipulating files. Here are the basic steps:

1. rename c:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM to c:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM.bak

2. Navigate to the System Volume Information folder.

This folder contains one or more _restore {GUID} folders such as "_restore{87BD3667-3246-476B-923F-F86E30B3E7F8}".

There may be one or more folders starting with "RPx under this folder. These are restore points.

3. 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

4. From the Snapshot folder, copy the following file to the c:\windows\system32\config folder
 _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM

5. Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM

6. Exit Bart PE and reboot.

Replacing only the System hive should be sufficient. If not, post back and I'll add the other hives.

Use a restore point from at least a day or two prior to problem occurring but one that is fairly recent.

Bart PE is available here:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/