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WinXP Pro, Corrupted Registry

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7 replies

by anastasio

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is there a way to prevent windows xp pro from corrupting the registry? this a the second time that i had to recover windows xp pro because it won't start, instead, i get an error message "Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system"

7 replies

by dmiles7

you delete the existing registry files, and then copy the System Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder:
Boot to Recovery Console (or by using a Windows 98 Boot Disk).
At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
del c:\windows\system32\config\sam

del c:\windows\system32\config\security

del c:\windows\system32\config\software

del c:\windows\system32\config\default

del c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\tmp\software c:\windows\system32\config\software

copy c:\windows\tmp\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\tmp\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam

copy c:\windows\tmp\security c:\windows\system32\config\security

copy c:\windows\tmp\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Note Some of the preceding command lines may be wrapped for readability.
Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts.
Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate windows_folder if it is a different location.

If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy the text in step two, and then create a text file called "Regcopy1.txt" (for example).

by dmiles7

Backing up the registry regularly
you delete the existing registry files, and then copy the System Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder:
Boot to Recovery Console (or by using a Windows 98 Boot Disk).
At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
del c:\windows\system32\config\sam

del c:\windows\system32\config\security

del c:\windows\system32\config\software

del c:\windows\system32\config\default

del c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\tmp\software c:\windows\system32\config\software

copy c:\windows\tmp\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\tmp\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam

copy c:\windows\tmp\security c:\windows\system32\config\security

copy c:\windows\tmp\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Note Some of the preceding command lines may be wrapped for readability.
Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts.Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate windows_folder if it is a different location.

If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy the text in step two, and then create a text file called "Regcopy1.txt" (for example).

by thechas

Backups as suggested will make it easier to recover in the event of a corrupted registry.

To prevent registry corruption, you need to determine why / how the registry is getting corrupted.

The first source is the shutdown sequence.
There should be at least a 10 second delay from the last activity of the HDD light before power is shut off.

Next, are there any rogue or legacy applications on this PC?
Programs written for DOS, Windows 3.1 or even Windows 9X can make changes to the registry that are not compatible with XP.
Rouge applications (spy-ware and add-ware) can cause all kinds of problems.
Download and run either AdAware or Spybot Search and Destroy.

Hardware Issues:
If your hard drive is starting to fail, the registryis a likely set of files to be damaged.
Same thing if your RAM is starting to fail.

Chas

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