WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM error message

[fredrob]

I have a machine with WIN2K on it. I am getting the following error when I try to boot my machine.
"Windows 2000 could not start because the following field is missing or corrupt: WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM, You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows 2000 by using the original Setup CD-ROM. Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair."

When I follow these instructions and try to boot with using WIN2K CD, the system tells me that I need to put in my WIN2K Emergency Repair Disk. I have never created that disk from the WIN2K backup utility on that machine.

My question is can I create a Emergency Repair disk on another WIN2K machine and use that to recover my broken down machine? Will that cause configuration problems with the machine I am trying to repair?

 

[Rockn]

ERD's are unique to the machine they were created on so it will not work.

 

[fredrob]

Do you know of any other way to recover this machine?

 

[Bob Cerelli]

Not sure if this is what you tried already, but an article from MS says:

Use the Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Process
Start the computer by using the Windows 2000 compact disc (CD-ROM).
At the Welcome to Setup menu, press R.
Press R to select the emergency repair process.
Press M to select Manual Repair.
Press ENTER to perform the selected tasks.
Follow the remaining instructions to repair the Windows 2000 installation.

You might also try a parallel install of Windows2000 and then copy the files from the install to the old one.