Re: Winnt\sys32\config\systemCED Error

First thing to do is to boot the computer and see if you can launch the Recovery Console and access the Windows 2000 installation. Then see if you can do the repairs without doing the chkdsk. If you see that you can copy, rename and delete the files then the chkdsk should not be necessary, don't do it unless you have to. When I approach these computer problems I always take the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude, do the necessary minimum to get things back to normal. Once the installation boots up properly then I think it would be a good idea to do a chkdsk.

Keep in mind that while you are in the Recovery Console your access to files and folders will (most likely) be restricted and limited. By default you won't have permissions to most of the files and folders on the drive, that is a security feature of the Console. You will have access to the root of any drive, such as C:\ as well as the Windows folder (\winnt) and the system32 folder (\winnt\system32). You can use the cd and dir commands to move around and explore but keep the above in mind. If you or your friend want to see if other files are still there, like in her "My Documents" folder, you won't be able to see them. What you see and what is while you are in the Console can be a bit misleading, don't jump to conclusions.

If, on the other hand, you are sure that you are properly logged on to the Windows installation and can't rename, copy between folder or delete files and are getting error messages, or if the "fixed" installation doesn't want to boot, chances are that there is corruption on the disk and you will have to do the chkdsk to try to overcome the problem.

John

ColTom2 wrote:

*Hi John:*
** * Thanks so much for both your timely and informative reply once again. Hopefully I can get it to the point where she can create the ERD, as you described. I had thought about this in reading through all the info that you sent me.*
** * One thing that still hangs in my mind that you touched on was running ckkdsk /r, since Dell could not do anything with it, was to run this as the first option rather than the latter. In my mind I feel as though this possibly could help, as I have used it before with pretty good luck. She could have some bad sectors on her hard drive that is preventing complete restoration etc.*
** * If I can get it to boot then I am thinking about trying to run chkdsk /r immediately as the first item of repair. I would like your comments on what you think about this.*
** *Thanks again!*
** *ColTom2*

"John John" <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
wrote in message news:uBRtpJj7GHA.1252@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Dell cd that you have there is the real McCoy. For all intents and
purposes it's almost identical to a Genuine Microsoft cd, except
that it
only works on Dell computers. Other than that you wouldn't know the
difference when you use it.

You are on the right track, check the boot order in the BIOS and then
try to boot the computer with the cd and see if you can get to the
setup
screen where you get the option to install or repair Windows. From
there things should go well, or as well as can be expected given the
circumstances. Whichever method you end up using to repair the
installation don't forget to reapply Service Pack 4 and patch with the
Security Rollup Package. Given that we don't know the age of her
registry backup don't take chances not applying or reapplying the
patches. I find it easier to download and burn these 2 big items to cd
first, it makes things go a lot faster when you do the fixing part.
Good luck.

John

PS. I don't want to throw to much information at you, but after you
fix
her pc you should make her aware of the importance of regularly making
an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) and backing up the registry at the same
time, if she isn't already aware. That is one of the only reliable way
of backing up the Windows 2000 registry, it should be done regularly,
that way when problems arise you have recent registry backups to work
with. She can look in her Windows help files for more information on
how to do it.

ColTom2 wrote:

> *Hi John:*
> **
> * I have the Dell CD in hand and it's a Dell "Operating System"
> Reinstallation CD W2K + SP2 green in color. You asked me
previously was
> it a service pack CD and I replied no, but it is a SP2 CD if that
makes
> any difference.*
> **
> * I was also able to create the setup disks (4) and have then also.*
> **
> * I thought the first thing that I would do is to access the
BIOS and
> see what drive is bootable first and then either use the CD or
the setup
> disks accordingly. What worries me is that Dell tried yesterday
using
> the Dell Reinstallation CD, as mentioned and could not resolve
her issue.*
> **
> * If you have any thoughts and/or recommendations at this point
on how
> I should proceed I sure would appreciate them. I am scheduled to
go over
> to her house tomorrow after lunch. Again thanks for all your help. *
> **
> *ColTom2*
>
> "ColTom2" <nomailaddress@xxxxxxxx
<mailto:nomailaddress@xxxxxxxx> <mailto:nomailaddress@xxxxxxxx>>
> wrote in message news:%23LYUGhf7GHA.4288@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *HI John:*
> **
> * I will most likely get the OS CD today and then go over to
where
> the computer is tomorrow. I will try and make the setup disks
just
> to have as a backup before I go.*
> **
> * If I have any other questions I will post later today
> accordingly. I can't begin to express my thanks to you for
all your
> detailed info. No doubt that you have worked on Dell computers
> before with Win2000 and this same problem.*
> **
> * Again thanks and I will keep you posted as to status
and/or outcome.*
> **
> *Thanks again.....*
> **
> *ColTom2*
>
> "John John" <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote in message
> news:%23q936La7GHA.4276@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On all the Dell pc's that I have seen when the computer boots
> you see a
> message telling you which key to press to enter the Setup
Program
> (BIOS). The documentation here says to press F2.
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/syssetup.htm#1097056
> http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4300/
>
> I'm quite sure that the CD she has is a complete Windows 2000
> operating
> system cd, it works the same as a genuine Microsoft cd. If it
> can't
> boot either the cd is defective (scratched, dirty) or the
cd-rom
> drive
> is defective, or the BIOS is not set properly.
>
> As I said earlier, I have often found the quality of the
repair
> to be
> less than acceptable or desirable when the replacement
hives are
> really
> old. Also, I have seen occasions where nothing could be
done on
> the
> drive without first running a chkdsk /r . That is a
command that I
> don't like to run unless all avenues have been exhausted. If
> you can't
> get the installation up to an acceptable condition an
in-place
> upgrade
> is the next thing to do:
>
> How to perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 2000
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292175/
>
> You will have to reinstall the latest service pack and
> hotfixes. DO NOT
> connect the unpatched computer to the internet without a
properly
> configured firewall! As installed Windows 2000 is EXTREMELY
> vulnerable
> to worms and virus if not properly protected. These are
what I
> would
> consider as bare minimum on a new Windows 2000 installation:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollup.mspx
>
> The security rollup package contains the critical
MS03-049 patch.
>
> John
>
> ColTom2 wrote:
>
> > *Hi John:*
> > **
> > * She told me that she has the original Win2000 OS CD
that
> came with
> > the computer some years ago, so I assume it is not a
Service
> Pack CD.*
> > **
> > * You would think that Dell would have gone into the BIOS
> and set it up
> > to boot on CD, but I have no idea as to what
transpired. Dell
> apparently
> > got it to do something, but she said the same error about
> booting came
> > back etc. I hate trying to work through someone else like
> this and I
> > apologize for doing so. Her husband is a close friend
of mine
> is the
> > only reason. If they were closer I would have already
gone to
> their
> > house and checked things out myself, which I most
likely will
> do tomorrow.*
> > **
> > * You would not know by chance how to access the BIOS
on a
> Dell 4300
> > would you? I assume F2, F12, or Delete. but really do not
> know. I need
> > to know the BIOS settings before I try anything as you
well
> know. Her
> > husband can meet me in Savannah tomorrow with the OS
CD and I
> thought
> > that I would try and make the setup disks from it and then
> later go to
> > their house, check the BIOS and go from there.*
> > **
> > * One thing that worries me is that she might have
corrupted
> her
> > Registry hive beyond repair, so if you have any comments
> about this
> > please forward.*
> > **
> > * Again thanks so much for all you help...*
> >
> > "John John" <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
> > wrote in message
> news:uhzQqaZ7GHA.3452@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Did she go in the BIOS and set the computer to boot to
> the CD first?
> > The Windows 2000 cd is bootable and the computer
should
> boot from it,
> > but you have to change the boot order in the BIOS and
> have the cd as
> > the
> > first booting device. Only if she can't boot with
the cd
> should she
> > need the floppies in lieu of the cd. Are you sure she
> has a Window
> > 2000
> > Operating System (or reinstallation) cd? Maybe she is
> trying to use a
> > service pack cd instead.
> >
> > John
> >
> > ColTom2 wrote:
> >
> > > *Hi John:*
> > > **
> > > * She has tried inserting the Windows 2000CD and
> accessing the
> > Recovery
> > > Console per telecon apparently with Dell, but the
> computer does
> > nothing
> > > when she inserts the CD. This was why I thought
> possibly of using
> > setup
> > > disks etc. She just cannot get it to boot up
even with
> the CD.*
> > > **
> > > * Do you think setup disks would work even if the
> Win2000 CD
> > will not?*
> > > **
> > > *Thanks*
> > >
> > > "John John" <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
> > > wrote in message
> news:u09mdMZ7GHA.3284@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > If she has a Windows 2000 cd she doesn't
need to
> create a set
> > of floppy
> > > disks, forget about them as she can boot the
> computer with
> > the Windows
> > > 2000 cd then access the Recovery Console and
> attempt the
> > repairs as per
> > > KB269075. For information on the RC see:
> > >
> > > Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery
Console
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229716
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > > ColTom2 wrote:
> > >
> > > > *Hi John:*
> > > > **
> > > > * I apologize for the misinformation,
as she has a
> > Windows 2000 Pro
> > > > Edition Operating System CD and not a
Recovery
> CD. Sorry
> > about this.*
> > > > **
> > > > * I have read your referenced
> > > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063
article
> on how to
> > create a
> > > set
> > > > of setup disks, but must admit I am not
at all
> sure of the
> > procedure
> > > > even after reading it. It never mentions
when
> or how to insert
> > > the blank
> > > > floppy etc in making these disks. *
> > > > **
> > > > * I have a Sony desktop Windows MCE
computer
> so could you
> > please
> > > > explain in detail somewhat how I would
go about
> creating
> > these disks
> > > > from her Win2000 CD using my Sony and also
> accessing the
> > Recovery
> > > > Console. A step by step explanation would be
> most helpful.*
> > > > **
> > > > * I really appreciate your effort in
this matter.*
> > > > **
> > > > *ColTom2*
> > > > * *
> > > >
> > > > "John John" <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
> > > > wrote in message
> > news:OwW6aaY7GHA.2384@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > She will have to make the disks with
> another computer,
> > also with
> > > > recovery disk that she has there is no
> saying what is
> > or is
> > > not on
> > > > there
> > > > so I can't say if she can make a set
of startup
> > diskettes or
> > > start the
> > > > Recovery Console with it.
> > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063
> > > > Maybe
> > > > the recovery disk can boot the Recovery
> Console, or
> > she could
> > > just
> > > > borrow a Windows 2000 cd for the
repairs.
> > > >
> > > > "Mount the disk", put it in another
> computer as a second
> > > (data) disk
> > > > and
> > > > do the instruction in KB269075 from the
> working Windows
> > > installation
> > > > instead of the Recovery Console. If her
> Windows 2000
> > is on a
> > > FAT32
> > > > partition she can do it from a
Windows 9x
> computer, if her
> > > Windows 2000
> > > > is on an NTFS partition she will have to
> mount it in a
> > > Windows 2000/XP
> > > > machine because Windows 9x cannot read
> NTFS. An NT4
> > computer
> > > can also
> > > > do it providing that it has later
service
> pack to read
> > newer
> > > Windows
> > > > 2000 NTFS version. In a case like
that the
> working
> > Windows
> > > is like a
> > > > "Super" Recovery Console with all
the bells
> and whistles.
> > > Another way
> > > > to do the repairs is via a parallel
> installation on her
> > > computer, a
> > > > Windows installation on another
partition
> or disk.
> > > >
> > > > I should mention that the outcome of the
> repair depends
> > > greatly on how
> > > > old the registry hive that she will be
> using (to
> > replace the
> > > corrupt
> > > > one) is. If she never or rarely made
> Emergency Repair
> > Disks
> > > the hives
> > > > may be so old that the outcome might be
> completely
> > > unsatisfactory, but
> > > > she will be able to at least salvage her
> data files. One
> > > thing about
> > > > working from a parallel installation is
> that you can
> > see the
> > > damaged
> > > > hive and see how big it is. If the
problem
> is one of size
> > > you can try
> > > > to reduce the size instead of
switching it
> for an old
> > hive.
> > > >
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > > ColTom2 wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > *Hi John:*
> > > > > **
> > > > > * All she has is a Recovery CD
so how
> would she
> > ever make
> > > a set of
> > > > > Startup Diskettes when the
computer will
> not boot?
> > Also I
> > > do not
> > > > follow
> > > > > your last comments about mounting her
> disk in another
> > > Win2000/XP
> > > > computer?*
> > > > > **
> > > > > *Thanks*
> > > > >
> > > > > "John John"
<audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > <mailto:audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>>
> > > > > wrote in message
> > > news:%23NkV6aX7GHA.4996@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > Error Message: Windows Could Not
> Start Because the
> > > Following
> > > > File Is
> > > > > Missing or Corrupt:
> > \Winnt\System32\Config\Systemced
> > > > > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269075/EN-US/
> > > > >
> > > > > You will have to borrow a Windows
> 2000 CD or
> > make a set of
> > > > Startup
> > > > > Diskettes to use the Recovery
> Console. Or you can
> > > mount her
> > > > disk in
> > > > > another Windows 2000/XP
machine to
> do the repair.
> > > > >
> > > > > John
> > > > >
> > > > > ColTom2 wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > *Hi:*
> > > > > > **
> > > > > > * I have a friend who has
a Dell
> 4300 running
> > > Windows 2000
> > > > Pro and
> > > > > > cannot get her computer to
boot.
> She has
> > even tried
> > > > reformatting,
> > > > > but
> > > > > > now gets this
> Winnt\sys32\config\systemCED error
> > > and will
> > > > not go
> > > > > > further. The entire system is
> locked up at
> > this point.*
> > > > > > **
> > > > > > * Sorry to say she does
not have
> a bootable
> > floppy
> > > or CD
> > > > disk.*
> > > > > > **
> > > > > > * Any help and/or
> recommendations will
> > greatly be
> > > > appreciated.*
> > > > > > **
> > > > > > *Thanks,*
> > > > > > **
> > > > > > *ColTom2*
.

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