JSI Tip 2783. Windows 2000 could not start because %SystemRoot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMced is missing or corrupt?

If you receive the subject error, your System hive is missing or damaged.

If the Recovery Console is installed, start it and jump to step 3.

If the Recovery Console is NOT installed:

1. Start the setup media and press R at Welcome to Setup.

2. Press C to start the Recovery Console.

3. Select the install instance you wish to repair.

4. Enter the administrator password. If this is a domain controller, you must enter the Directory Services Restore Mode Adminstrator password.

5. Type the following commands:

   cd system32config    ren system system.old    ren system.alt systemalt.old

6. Copy the more recent of %SystemRoot%repairregbacksystem or %SystemRoot%repairsystem to the current folder (%SystemRoot%System32Config).

7. Type exit to restart.

NOTE: Any services, device drivers, or program registry entries that where installed after the date of this System hive must be reinstalled.