windows\system32\config\system is corrupt in Windows

• 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

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  • Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer. 

  • Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.

  • When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.

  • If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.

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  • When you are prompted to do so, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.

  • At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.

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  • Note: This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate windows_folder if it is a different location.

  
  courtsey: SATIRUR