System32 Error
System32 errors are not uncommon in Windows. In essence, System32 is a subdirectory of the Windows directory which is required on any Windows system. So, when using Windows, you must have System32 intact and working in order for your computer to run properly. When it isn't, you may often get a picture somewhat like this:
Typical System32 error
The System32 subdirectory is usually located in the C: drive under C:\Windows\System32. Quite a few Windows system files necessary for running your PC are stored in the System32 directory, so many errors you receive when booting or running Windows may be System32 errors.
The most common System32 error is probably "System32 Corrupt or Missing". This is in most cases caused by a filesystem problem - for example a bad sector. One way to try and fix that is to boot in safe mode and run the following command on the command prompt:
chkdsk c: /f
or, for older Windows versions,
scandsk c: /f
This checks your primary Windows partition and force-repairs any errors.
Now, if this did not help, your next step could be to try and boot with the Last Known Good Configuration. Again, check Booting In Safe Mode for the option to do that.
A further option is to try using the recovery console to fix the problem. This can sometimes work, but often fails if there was some real damage done to the Windows partition at filesystem level.
If that's the case, your next-to-last option is to try using a repair tool such as Spotmau PowerSuite, in particular its Windows Recovery tool. That can often fix System32 errors relatively painlessly, since it contains backup images of the directory for various Windows types.
As a final option, if all else fails, and the system does not boot up, you may have to Reinstall Windows.See also:
