windows\system32\config\system

[Kodiak]

corrupt or missing. Got one of these on my kids machine and I believe it occured after running a spyware progy. Any suggestions on recovering from this, maybe through recovery console?

[shamus]

SFC /SCANNOW
system file checker. From a cmd prompt in XP or from the Run line in Win98 SE. Have your OS CD handy to reload the files

[kennel]

In recovery console you can go into windows\system32\config and ren system and then go to windows\repair and copy system to windows\system32\config. And then reboot it should come up from there or give you possibly another file in that directory to replace. Hope that helps.

[Kodiak]

Sorry for the lack of info. I'm running winxp pro.

[cgonzo]

Kennel is correct in his suggestion. Here is a webpage that describes in more detail.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm
I had to do this last week. After, I had to reinstall my Office programs, but I do not know if that is typical.

[ScorpioIlya]

Well, think about it..when you do a repair install, 90% of software stays intact (the whole point of a repair install), but MS OFFICE complains....because it has entries in the SYSTEM hive, which gets re-created IMHO....so since the system hive is hosed, he needs to repair the MS OFFICE.