A work around for missing config file.

[PC-MOT]

As the title suggests I have a computer running vista in that was giving the error system32/config/system file is missing or corrupt.
When I checked the entire config file was missing, also there was no restore points saved either so 2 big problems.

Can anyone suggest my next step or is it just a fresh install?
I was thinking an inplace upgrade but its not booting, is there a way to do the upgrade from a PE live disk, like Barts?

 

[Tepin]

Is there a system32/config/RegBack folder? If so they contain backups of the registry.

 

[Jobrien]

Agreed with Teppin. Also while on that live CD.. check to see if there is a system.bak file or some kind of system file with an extension other then .LOG. Rename it to SYSTEM and try to boot again.

There is also in the root of the windows folder sometimes there is a default copy of the registry files. Helps sometimes on an install that is not too old..

 

[FoolishTech]

I believe he is saying the entire "config" folder (not file) is missing under system32. That's a big problem. In some cases you can still find default registry hives under windows\repair however they are from when windows was first installed, no drivers, no software to be found in there so you might as well reformat.

Best bet is to use data recovery software to try and recover the config directory, or possibly Shadow Explorer to try and find volume shadow copies of the missing dir/files.

Then, backup all data or clone it and test that HDD! files and entire directories don't just go missing, especially Windows protected ones that you just can't right click and delete. I wonder what ELSE is missing?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

The system HIVE files are one of the more "used/worn and torn" areas of the hard drive. So when a hard drive is beginning to fail, some of the 5 registry files are often the first to be pushed off of the edge of the cliff and get corrupted. In your case it's telling you the one system hive file is the one that is tanked.

With Windows XP we had to go into the hidden restore point folder and pluck out the selected RPXX dates we wanted....and copy back. (manual system restore) Pretty quick procedure once you've done it a couple of times and works very well.

Got easier with Veeester/Win7....just grab the shadow copy versions. (or in your case..just grab that one system reg file). It's just individual files...you'll see how they're named and laid out, don't need the entire directory.

 

[FoolishTech]

(or in your case..just grab that one system reg file). It's just individual files...you'll see how they're named and laid out, don't need the entire directory.

If he is missing the entire directory he most certainly will!

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

If he is missing the entire directory he most certainly will!

If he's missing the entire system32/config directory..yes. Without seeing it..I am not sure. But the error (in his first post) points to just the system file inside of /confic (and the 5 files don't have an extension)...there is no /system directory inside of /config. .

 

[FoolishTech]

But he states in the original post:

When I checked the entire config file was missing

which is why I think he meant DIRECTORY instead of FILE (ahem, because there is no config FILE only a DIR containing the registry hives) which is why he'll need the whole directory if he is to get Windows going again. He is only getting the missing system32\config\system message because the system hive is the first one Windows tries to load. Replacing that without the others, and his next message will be a missing system32\config\something else (as I'm not sure what point in the load order they go beyond the system hive being first...)

 

[PC-MOT]

Yea sorry guys, ive been out all day so couldnt chip back in.
It's the entire config folder/directory thats missing, as well as no restore points.


**EDIT

However, when I rang the customer to explain my problem, he was very unconcerned about the vast majorityt of his data, only wanted me to copy his pictures and music, and in his words 'dont worry about it mate, its full of crap that computer, just wipe it all and start vista again fresh, nbah dont worry about installing 7 (win 7) i'm gonna wait a while and go for 8...' lol

my original question was really if it happens again, is there a PE live cd that you can upgrade from?

 

[Tepin]

my original question was really if it happens again, is there a PE live cd that you can upgrade from?

I have yet to find a way to do a repair install/in place upgrade on Vista or 7 if you can't boot to the desktop. It is a feature I miss from XP a lot. If any has found a way I'd love to hear about it as well!

 

[BDNTech]

ms claims you can do it

see the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2255099
Although I have never had a successful one I believe I read somewhere that you need the full version of the OS. The backup media that typically come with pc's do not have this option.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

I have yet to find a way to do a repair install/in place upgrade on Vista or 7 if you can't boot to the desktop. It is a feature I miss from XP a lot. If any has found a way I'd love to hear about it as well!

I don't understand why it was left out either. The best part was it usually did its job without breaking anything. Now fixing a broken install can be needlessly involved.

 

[Rob_NNCC]

Windows XP repair install would not have fixed this. Repair install did not replace/repair the registry if I am not mistaken.

 

[PC-MOT]

see the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2255099
Although I have never had a successful one I believe I read somewhere that you need the full version of the OS. The backup media that typically come with pc's do not have this option.

This is the standard upgrade, I was looking for a way with a non booting system.

 

[DCGPX]

see the link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2255099
Although I have never had a successful one I believe I read somewhere that you need the full version of the OS. The backup media that typically come with pc's do not have this option.

Biggest problem I find with this is that 9 times out of 10 (Vista and 7) it wont let you as it complains that it can only do it with the same SP or higher.

No matter which way I've tried to slipstream SP2 I cant get it to recognise it as such for this purpose so I end up with no upgrade option.

Strangely it installs fresh as a SP2 setup fine?

Either MS should have better way to do an inplace reinstall or let SPs slipstream like before.