XP Error on Boot

(WIndows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM)

Boot with Hirens CD Mini XP

Go to C:\Windows\system32\config and rename system to system.bak
Copy system from C:\windows\repair to C:\windows\system32\config
Reboot pc and it should work normally.

This can be done via the repair console as well
1/ Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM and restart your pc.

2/ At the ‘Welcome to Setup’ screen press R to start the recovery Console.

3/ The Recovery Console will now open and the list of Windows installations will

appear.

4/ As you only have one installation on your PC you need to press the number which is

relevant to your installations location. This, obviously will typically be 1 (one).

5/ When requested type in your Administrator password. If you haven’t set an

administrator password, then simply press Enter.

6/ The Recovery Console command prompt window will now appear.

7/ At the Command prompt type the following, pressing Enter after you have typed each

line. It is assumed that your root directory will be C: However, if your root

directory isn't C:, for example, if you have other partitions/drives on your system

you may have installed XP to say the D: drive, the you will need to substitute each

reference to C: with the letter of your root directory.

    * 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

8/ Now type Exit to exit the recovery console.

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