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Protect Yourself From the Windows/System32/Config error Message...continued

The following backup utility only works on computers that are currently functioning properly and are not suffering from the "Windows/System32/Config/System file missing or corrupt" error. If you run this utility on a computer that is functioning properly, you can use the recovery method below to restore its config files should it ever suffer from the "Windows/System32/Config/System file missing or corrupt" error.

We have created a DOS batch file that will copy your Windows/System32/Config/System files to a backup directory so that in the event your computer crashes with the "Windows/System32/Config/System file missing or corrupt" error you will be able to recover from it quickly.


*note* As you run the batch file, Microsoft Antispyware, Windows Defender, and other applications may ask you if it is ok to run the batch file. Please click allow or run or ok to any prompts that appear.
Follow the directions below to backup your files, and the save this page to your favorites in case you ever need the instructions on restoring your backup files.
  1. Download the backuptool batch file here
  2. Click "Open." It should open a new window containing a file called runtool.bat
  3. Double click on the runtool.bat file and click on the "Extract All" button
  4. The Windows XP file extraction wizard will open. Follow the prompts by clicking next, and then finish
  5. A new windows will open. Double click on the runtool.bat file in the new window and click on Run.
  6. A black box will appear. Press any key to continue.
  7. The software will now copy files. Ignore any "Sharing Violation" errors
  8. Press any key to continue
  9. The software will now backup the files that were passed over due to sharing violations
  10. Press any key to exit the program

Follow these directions to restore your backed up config data in the event of a crash:

  1. Remove your hard drive from your computer and hook it up as a slave in another computer
  2. Boot the second PC, open My Computer, and double click on the malfunctioning hard drive's icon
  3. Double click on the "Windows" folder
  4. Double click on the "ERDNT" folder
  5. Single left click on the "hive" folder and click on Edit and invert selection
  6. Click on Edit and Copy
  7. Navigate back to the Windows folder on the damaged drive
  8. Double click on the System32 folder
  9. Create a new directory called Config
  10. Open the config directory and click paste
  11. Navigate back to the ERDNT directory on the damaged drive
  12. Double click on the "hives folder" and click Edit and then Select All
  13. Click on Edit and then Copy
  14. Navigate to the config folder you created on the damaged drive
  15. Paste the hive files into the config folder.
  16. Remove the damaged hard drive, replace it in its original computer and it should function perfectly!

Follow the links below to review this tutorial.

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