C:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM error

[junfandan]

Anyone here know what would cause this error in XP?
Something to the effect of missing C:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM file.

Happens after gaming for a bit. Tried microsoft's solution to enable me to boot to at least boot to the OS, but strangely none of my apps work.

Apps will complain that certain dlls are missing, and will crash out of the OS when trying to start them.

My Rig
CPU: AMD ATHLON XP1600
Vid Card: Albatron GF4 ti4600
OS: Windows XP Professional
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy
RAM: 512 DDR pc2100
Hard Drive: 10 gig, 60 gig

[PrObLy]

this problem used to happen to me when I would overclock my cpu and not give it enough voltage. are you overclocking? if so try giving it a little bit more juice and these problems should go away. if you're not oc'ing then I'm really not sure what the problem is. hope this helps a bit.

[junfandan]

Definitely not o-cing here. Maybe I dont have enuff juice.

This is the psu I installed

http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=39611&highlight=400W+power

I did find out that this isn't really a 400w psu though.

[PrObLy]

Nah, it shouldn't be the power supplies problem. No power supply will actually put out what they advertise, but a 400watt is definitely enough to power your system...I have a 350 crapola P.S and it's running my OC'd xp2100+, 3 hard drives, and two cd rom drives without any problems. The juice I was referring to was the core voltage of your processor if you were overclocking, but since you aren't I'm not sure what the problem might be, it might be necessary to reinstall XP, but don't do that until a final resort.

[junfandan]

I've tried system restore, all of microsofts corrupt registry suggestions to no avail.

I've just formatted the drive and am currently trying to reinstall XP.

It constantly complains that certain files cannot be copied for the installation. SO I can't EVEN reinstall the OS.

Now I'm thinking it's the hard drive.

[rajatQ2]

i had a very similar problem when trying to install XP on a machine with a salvaged SCSI rig. It would never boot up because it was missing "HAL.dll" even though i restored it a few times.

Turned out to be a bad IBM refurbed hard drive, had bad sectors on it. The format didnt even find the bad sectors sometimes. Try a different HD :( SOrry for the bad news.

[spigidygak]

It could be a ram or ram slot problem. Try this to fix it though.

Use system restore to get your system back to how you had it.
Boot into the recovery console from the CD, then choose your installation (usually C:\windows), you should end up at the prompt C:\
type the following at the prompt:

cd system32\config (press enter)
ren system system.old (press enter)
ren system.alt systemalt.old (press enter)
copy c:\windows\repair\system (press enter)
copy c:\windows\repair\regback\system (press enter)
exit (press enter then press it again to restart your computer)

When it restarts it will now boot up use system restore to return your recent files back if needed. This should work, but isn't a permanent fix in that it fixes what caused the problem. But I think this usually is the problem of bad memory, could also be due to a new driver you may have loaded up. Also read up over at microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q307545&

[junfandan]

Thanks. But I already tried this to no avail.

It will boot up but when I try the actual apps, it hangs and reboots. Then does a chkdsk.

Going to try another drive, will let you guys know what happens

thanks,
Dan

[imachode]

Originally posted by junfandan
I've tried system restore, all of microsofts corrupt registry suggestions to no avail.

I've just formatted the drive and am currently trying to reinstall XP.

It constantly complains that certain files cannot be copied for the installation. SO I can't EVEN reinstall the OS.

Now I'm thinking it's the hard drive.

i'm having this exact same problem right now.

the restore fix worked well enough to save the documents i needed, but windows was definately too screwy to just leave as is.

i tried formatting, but i got the same error on the install. i've tried it over and over to no avail. i've also moved my ram (2x256 2700 samsung) around, and used them individually.

i'm pretty much saying that i'm stuck right now, and i haven't the slightest clue of what to do.

help.

[junfandan]

It turns out I had a bad RAM module.
Crucial is RMA - ing my RAM.

256 ddr 266 mhz - crucial RAM