what causes this error message?

**System_Error** · Dec 1st, 2004, 03:57 PM

My desktop wouldn't start up yesterday. The message I got was something like:
Windows cannot startup, the following files were missing or corrupt:
System32/config

I got this fixed and was able to start windows, but everything was corrupt. My music, games, everything.

I was was wondering if anyone could explain why a message like that would appear, and how to fix all the corrupted files.

**dglienna** · Dec 1st, 2004, 04:10 PM

what did you do to the system before it happened? haven't heard of this before.

**System_Error** · Dec 1st, 2004, 04:29 PM

I wasn't on it last. It was my brother. I don't think he did anything out of the ordinary, and I don't think it downloaded anything, so it couldn't have been a virus.

**Shaggy Hiker** · Dec 1st, 2004, 06:34 PM

It could have been a delayed virus, or it could be something FAR worse: The impending demise of your hard drive.

**Ideas Man** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 12:49 AM

You could try system restore.

**dglienna** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 01:55 AM

I'd back everything up, and turn on SMART monitoring in BIOS.
It should let you know of impeding failure.

**System_Error** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 06:08 AM

Originally posted by Ideas Man
You could try system restore.

I thought about, but I would have to check to see if we have a restore point.
I'll get back to you on that.

**System_Error** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 06:10 AM

Originally posted by dglienna
I'd back everything up, and turn on SMART monitoring in BIOS.
It should let you know of impeding failure.

I'll probably try this too and see what happens.

**alex_read** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:07 AM

I got this fixed

How? What did you do here exactly?

**plenderj** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 08:14 AM

To fix that problem you have to restore previous versions of your system registry. They're stored in:
c:\system volume information\

You have to give yourself permission to access the folder aswell though. Basically, you try and restore one, reboot, try the next, reboot etc. until you get a non-corrupt copy.

Problem is though that if you go back far enough to have to find a good backup, that you lose any registry settings etc. made since then....

**System_Error** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by alex_read
How? What did you do here exactly?

I ran the recovery console. If I could remember the steps I took to recover I would post them but I can't.

Ohh yeah, I posted earlier that all the files and stuff were corrupt. I got this info from my brother and it's not true. All the programs are needing to be reinstalled for some reason it's not that the actuall files have problems.

I just don't get why this would happen.
I read an article saying in some cases it means that your motherboard or memory needs replaced. Anyone think this is possible it?

**System_Error** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by plenderj
To fix that problem you have to restore previous versions of your system registry. They're stored in:
c:\system volume information\

You have to give yourself permission to access the folder aswell though. Basically, you try and restore one, reboot, try the next, reboot etc. until you get a non-corrupt copy.

Problem is though that if you go back far enough to have to find a good backup, that you lose any registry settings etc. made since then....

I did try system restore, but none of the files will load because the freaking programs are needing to be reinstalled. Do you think if I try the above that it might finally fix it?

**dglienna** · Dec 2nd, 2004, 04:59 PM

you could export the current registry, and always go back to it.

**System_Error** · Dec 3rd, 2004, 06:09 AM

Thanks guys. I just decided to reformat.

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