Microsoft KB Archive/102721

= Error Message: Windows NT Could Not Start Because the Following File Is Missing or Corrupt: \%Winnt%\System32\Config\SystemHardware Profile/Last Known Good Menu =

Article ID: 102721

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Developer Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q102721



SYMPTOMS
When you start your Windows NT-based computer, you may receive the following error message:

Windows NT could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

\%winnt%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMHardware Profile/Last Known Good menu



CAUSE
This behavior may occur if the System subkey of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive in the registry is too large to fit into the allocated memory space. Typically, this part of the registry is too large because services store a lot of information in their Parameters keys under the CurrentControlSet\Services key. The following services store large amounts of data under this key under certain conditions:
 * Spooler (number of printers)
 * DHCP (number of reservations)
 * AT Scheduler (number of jobs)
 * DFS (number of shares)
 * Other and third-party services



WORKAROUND
To try to work around this problem, use an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) or reinstall Windows NT. After you recover the computer from a backup or an ERD, you can either reduce the amount of data that a service stores or install the hotfix for the spooler service.

Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0
To try to work around this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information about how to obtain the latest service pack, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/servicepacks/default.asp

For information about how to obtain the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack



Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition Service Pack 6.

Windows NT 3.5, 3.51
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows NT 3.5 and 3.51.



MORE INFORMATION
This issue may occur when something is writing too much data to the System subkey in the registry. The System subkey is designed only for information that is required to start the computer.

Intel and ARC (RISC) computers have a design limit such that 16 MB of memory is available at this stage of startup. The System registry file must share the 16 MB with the loader, kernel, HAL, and boot drivers. In some instances, the System subkey may be as large as 13 MB in size (or larger).

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB102721

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.