JSI Tip 0732. Windows NT could not start because Last Known Good menu is missing or corrupt.

If you receive the following message when you attempt to start Windows NT:

     Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

     %winnt%SYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEMHardware Profile/Last Known Good menu

the System subkey of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive is too large.

Microsoft says that the only resolution is to use an Emergency Repair Disk or perform a reinstallation of Windows NT.

There is another option you can try first:

1. Boot to an alternate install of Windows NT.

2. Use the technique in tip 182 to remove entries from each of the control sets that are no longer needed.
    Likely candidates are the Services subkey and matching entries in the EnumRoot subkey.