My computer crashed and then it says my windows\system32\config\system is corrupted or is missing. so i go through various website and it says to do this recovery and i come to step one which is to type
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak

then i do but then it says the file is missing, but the other files i was able to copy except for this specific file .. can anyone help me and explain what i can do so i can complete this step thank you very much!!!

Were you trying to copy from your XP CD? This is assuming that you have a full version XP CD (not an OEM).

If so did you try all these possibilities:

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q307545

If your version of XP is OEM (pre-installed on the computer) you will need to follow the manufacturers' recovery options.

This is the part that i am talking about ... when i type in
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
It then says the file is missing or not even there but the other steps i can do fine but just that second step it will not let me copy that file... and so then i just did the other copy statements and it worked perfectly, but then it says to exit and it will restart into safemode... it goes right back to the problem about the there is a problem with
\windows\system32\config\system the file is corrupted or missing!!! and yes i have the original cd windows that came with the computer and that is what i'm using!

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Another try would be:

Boot to your CD and select Recovery Console.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_rec.htm

Type the following:

REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM SYSTEM.OLD
COPY C:\WINDOWS\REPAIR\SYSTEM C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG

Once again this is assuming a full version XP CD.

An XP CD that "came with the computer" might only be that manufacturers' recovery CD.

It may be necessary to consult that manufacturers' instructions.

it still said the same thing when i typed
EN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM SYSTEM.OLD
it worked
but when i typed
COPY C:\WINDOWS\REPAIR\SYSTEM C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG
it said the same thing

I'm assuming my system file or directory is just completely missing!!!

I am still not certain the nature of your XP CD.

If it were a full version Microsoft XP CD I would suggest running a Repair Install:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Again if it is an XP CD supplied by the computer manufacturer you should consult that manufacturer for their recovery options.
If this is the case perhaps that file is not on that CD & you will have to follow their specific options.

Originally Posted by jephree

Another try would be:

Boot to your CD and select Recovery Console.

Type the following:

REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM SYSTEM.OLD
COPY C:\WINDOWS\REPAIR\SYSTEM C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG

Once again this is assuming a full version XP CD.

Shweeeeeeeeeeet mate, first time and straight to the desktop!