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Registry error preventing Windows XP from starting

Registry error preventing Windows XP from starting

Jerry Honeycutt

I have a Windows XP machine that lost its power supply. After replacing it, I received an error stating that "Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEM."

I tried using Microsoft Knowledge Base Document KB307545, but it still returns the same message. If I buy a new machine and want to put my old drive in it, do I have to reload the drive?
Try KB Article Q307545. If it doesn't help, then I suspect you must wipe-and-load the computer. My answer to the second question is probably, unless the mainboard is very similar. I've seldomly managed to move a hard disk from one computer to another with good results. I wouldn't even trust the computer even if it worked.

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This was first published in January 2004

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