windows\system32\config\system

[DupperBox]

I was doing a windows update when suddenly the system froze. I restart it from the button and now I get this error message:
windows\system32\config\system is missing or corrupted. I have tried a few solution found on other forums but they were too difficult to understand or it didn't work in my case.
Please I need some help here!

[laurentio]

If path is actually :\windows\system32\config\system -- then it's the System hive. Here's how to correct using UBCD4Win.

Boot from UBCD4Win (http://www.ubcd4win.com/downloads.htm) CD and use the a43 file manager for manipulating files. Here are the basic steps:

1. rename c:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM to c:\windows\system32\config\SYSTEM.bak

2. Navigate to the System Volume Information folder.

This folder contains one or more _restore {GUID} folders such as "_restore{87BD3667-3246-476B-923F-F86E30B3E7F8}".

There may be one or more folders starting with "RPx under this folder. These are restore points.

3. Open one of these folders to locate a Snapshot subfolder. The following path is an example of a folder path to the Snapshot folder: C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E3-73EF-47BC-A0EB-A81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot

4. From the Snapshot folder, copy the following file to the c:\windows\system32\config folder
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM

5. Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM

6. Exit UBCD4Win (http://www.ubcd4win.com/downloads.htm) and reboot.