System32 Bootup Error

When I try to bootup, I get an error saying:
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\

I tried to search around but most people have problems with CONFIG\SYSTEM or SOFTWARE..

Reading through Microsoft's site tells me that my registry hive is corrupt.

Is there a way to repair it without any dataloss? Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

I don,t know exactly but a repair install of windows will work.
Also if only data is needed u can get all ur data by a bootable CD, floppy etc.

 

Could you please give me some instructions on how to do this because I'm not sure what the procedure is exactly, thanks.

 

If u have an XP CD, it should be easy.

http://www.tweakxp.com/article36955.aspx

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm

 

Thanks aigle, I did a repair install and it seems to work but it says I entered an incorrect product key when I try to activate. I am positive I did not accidentally type in the wrong key.

Nevermind, I found out the problem.

 

for future reference

%systemroot%\Windows\System32\Config (XP)
%systemroot%\WINNT\System32\Config (W2K)

is the registry hive
(and typically but not always C:\ is the %systemroot%)

the repair backup from the last successful boot is
%systemroot%\Windows\Repair (XP)
%systemroot%\WINNT\Repair (W2K)
which is what the safemode "Last Known Good" employs but its overwritten at every successful boot, limiting its value
(subtle issues that go undetected and cant be fixed by a single step back)

you can replace the hive from the commandprompt in the recovery console
or from a parallel install with Windows Explorer
there are more files in Config than repair, (aps entries AV ect)
but the main system hives are backed up,
however its really handy to have multiple backups of the hive stretching back several boots,
you can either do it manually (a pain in the butt) or with a bat

http://www.hak5.org/wiki/Backup_Using_Batch_Files
http://www.personal-computer-tutor.com/abc4/v39/vic39.htm
http://acritum.com/ocb/manual/creating_a_special_preset_(windows_registry_backup_demo).htm

I actually use an old Beta of O&O BlueCon that automatically backsup the registry
and will start overwriting copies at a given set number (typivcally set to 20 or 30)
however BlueCon is horribly expensive these days so thats probably out
you can probably find a bat example that shows how to set an overwrite at # option and then tailor it to a basic registry backup bat