Corrupt SYSTEM File

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This error is caused when there is a corruption in the SYSTEM registry hive. The end result of this issue is that Windows can not boot. To resolve this issue follow the steps bellow.

  1. Boot from either a Linux Live CD or another Boot disc which will provide access to the Windows drive.
  2. Locate SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION in the root directory of the Windows installation that will not run.
  3. Open a restore folder dated at a time when the system was working.
(will look like this _restore{lengthy alpha numeric string}
  1. Open one of the RD0-99 restore folders.
  2. Choose a date from before the problem.
  3. Open the snapshot folder.
  4. Copy the _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM and _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM files.
  5. Open WINDOWS\system32\config of the non working Windows installation.
  6. Rename the file SYSTEM to SYSTEM.old. This is your SYSTEM hive.
  7. Rename the file SAM to SAM.old. This is your SAM database where system passwords are stored.
  8. Copy the _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to WINDOWS\system32\config and rename it to SYSTEM.
  9. Copy the _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to WINDOWS\system32\config and rename it to SAM.
  10. Reboot the computer normally to access Windows once again.

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