Cannot Start Windows XP if the System or Software Hive Is Missing or Damaged

When you try to start or restart your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive
one of the following error messages:

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.
Use the Recovery Console Tool:

To restore a damaged registry hive, use the Recovery Console to restore the

backup copy of the hive from the Repair folder. The Repair folder contains a
copy of the system's registry hives that were created after the first successful
startup of Windows XP.

WARNING : Although data should not be affected by the following procedure, you
may need to restore changes you previously made to programs or system settings
since the first time you successfully started Windows XP.

To replace the damaged registry hive and restore the backup copy of the hive
from the Repair folder: Start your computer to the Recovery Console.

Determine if the file that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this
article is present, and if it is, rename it:

In Recovery Console, change to the c:\Windows folder.

Type cd system32\config , and then press ENTER.

Type dir system , and then press ENTER.

If you cannot run the preceding command successfully (because the file is
missing), skip to step 3. If you can run the preceding command successfully,
type ren system system.bak , and then press ENTER.

NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace
"system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type
ren software software.bak (instead of ren system system.bak ), and then press
ENTER.

Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

NOTE : If the message that you received referred to the software file, replace
"system" with "software" in the preceding command. For example, you would type
copy c:\windows\repair\software (instead of copy c:\windows\repair\system ), and
then press ENTER.

You should receive a "One file copied" informational message. For additional

information about how to use Recovery Console during startup, click the article
number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q307654 HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP

IMPORTANT : If you encounter problems when you run the preceding commands, you
may need to use the Change Directory command ( cd ) one folder at a time before
you run the preceding commands. For example, type cd system32 , press ENTER,
type cd config , and then press ENTER.

Type exit , and then press ENTER to quit Recovery Console and restart the
computer.