System32 is a directory in Windows XP operating system that saves critical system files used at the time of booting. The directory is saved at “C: \Windows\ System32”. Corruption or damage in this directory can occur due to various logical factors, like virus attack, operating system malfunction, system files (svchost.exe, Config.nt, and autorun.inf, and more) damage, and improper system shutdown. In most situations of System32 folder corruption, the Windows XP boot process halts, displaying an error message. This error message does not allow the user to access the data saved in the hard drive. To get past System32 corruption error message and to access the hard drive data, an ideal option is to restore the data from an updated backup. However, in case, the data backup is unavailable or incomplete, then the user can recover the data using an effective third-party Data Recovery application.

For deep-depth analysis of the above situation, consider a real-time scenario wherein you encounter the below error message at the time of Windows XP startup:

“System 32 - Bad Image” Or “Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEM”

The system stops functioning after any of the above error message appears on your screen.

Cause:

The above mentioned error messages appear when system32 directory gets corrupted due to Backdoor.SysXXX Trojan program.

Resolution:

To resolve the above error messages and to boot your Windows XP system, you will need to follow the below mentioned steps:

1.Open 'Recovery Console' and type commands mentioned underneath:

cd system32\config ren system system.old ren system.alt systemalt.old

2.Run an anti-virus program.

3.Try to boot the system by selecting 'Last Known Good Configuration'.

4.If all the above measures fail to resolve your issue or you type wrong commands (given in first step), then you will need to perform a clean reinstall of Windows XP and restore the data from a valid backup. But in case of deficient backup, you will need to opt for a commercial Data Recovery Software.

Such data recovery tools ensure comprehensive recovery of files after re-installation. The recoverable data can be saved at a new or old destination.

Windows Data Recovery is safe Data Recovery Software that recovers all formatted files/folders from NTFS, NTFS5, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, and VFAT file systems based Windows partitions. The user-friendly recovery application supports Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000.