TheTechGuide Forum
General Category => Tech Clinic => Topic started by: ol-jake on June 02, 2006, 04:42:07 AM
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Hi, this is my first post to this forum. I have registered because I am having a most unusual problem. About a week ago, I got an error message on a DOS screen while trying to start my Windows XP machine. The error said that the following file was corrupt: "c:\windows\system32\config\system" and told me to do the whole Recovery Console thing.
So I put the XP disc in, got into the recovery console, and then forgot which file it was that was corrupt (stupid, I know). So I took the disc out and restarted so I could see the error again. Only this time, NO ERROR, and Windows started OK. Then I noticed that I had NO SOUND.
So I tried everything I could think of, from removing and reinstalling the soundcard, to stopping and restarting the Windows Audio service, to reinstalling the driver, to deleting the device from Device Manager and allowing Windows to put it back. Nothing. I still show "No Audio Device" in my control panel's Sounds.
So I decided to replace that "system" file from earlier, since I never actually did it the first time I got the error. Don't ask me how I remembered the name of the file this time. Anyway, it worked, and my sound was back. But everything else was screwed up. No internet connection, no high-rez graphics settings, and most of my applications showed errors when I tried to start them. I was at my wits end, so I went back to the Recovery Console AGAIN, deleted the newer system file, and restored the older one (the problem one) back to where it was.
And that is where I am now. Perfectly good working PC, but no sound. And it has something to do with that system file. Does anyone know how to get into that system file and maybe remove all references to the sound card? I'm drowning in silence here, and I am really, REALLY trying NOT to have to reinstall XP from scratch again. I just did it like 8 months ago!
Someone please help me! Thanks so much. --Jake
EDIT: Just FYI, I am not a computer noob, in case you are wondering. I have been building computers for a while now, and am pretty good with operating systems and software problems. But this one has got me stumped. If anyone knows how to "get into" the "system" file at that location, and make it display its information in a recognizable form, please tell me. Like would Resource Hacker work?
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What system file was it?
Did you try a Repair Install (http://\"http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:\")?