And here's us thinking it was urgent. :o :P

not tried yet but will do within the next few days

if its only security thats damaged you only need to copy the security file back which would be

cd \windows\system32\config
ren security security.fkd
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\

If you find it boots but you cant logon with usual username and password its a bit more tricky as you will either have to do a full repair, put drive in another computer and get the latest system restore version of the security file or use the unix based password changer you can get.

Did it work?

thank you all for you assistance, i will try tonight :D

boot off xp CD, go into recovery console, when logged in type in chkdsk /r /p this will repair the files

Link might help >>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

These are the steps that are 65%(it's MSoft) garanteed to get it working

Boot to the Recovery Console.
At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default


Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.

[Edited on 27-06-2005 by Antz]

put in windows install cd & do a repair install (not via recovery console)

if it still does it, alex's option is only real viable way to recover his files, as could well be a fooked hard-disk due to damage/virus

just do it dry.

tried both Timmeh :o looks terminal think i'll try the rename function then trash the little mo fo !

Tried safe mode?
Last known good config?

Move the files to a different directory rather than deleting them then just incase it causes more problems.

I doubt you can actually replace the files from the repair facility because log files are generally generated by using the computer...

some one, any body ???

yep the security file and the security log file are both there..... thought about renaming or deleting them ????

would prefer trying to replace them with ones from the Windows restore CD but can't.

Alex,

Great idea but it's alot of hassle doing that, worst caser i trash the hard disk and install a clean version of O/S

Is the Security file actually there? If so, delete it.. :boggle:

take out the hard disk, put a new one in, install windows on the new one as master drive, then put the old disk in as slave and hey presto all is ok :)

Right, Have a friend who's PC is Fooked. when the PC boot's up we get a blue screen and error message appears :

windows/system32/config/security

is invalid, curupt or it's log file is missing.

How do i go about repairing these files without having to trash the machine.

I have tried to go through the windows CD to repair the two files but cannot seem to get any further that accessing the directory :boggle:

WTF? next

Help very much appreciated

[Edited on 27-06-2005 by Half Pint]