Using System.alt to Recover the System Hive

The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY

If your system fails to boot because the System hive is corrupt, it may be possible to rename the System.alt file to System to recover Windows NT. This file is located in the Systemroot\System32\Config directory.

It is recommend to first try to use the Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) to recover the System hive. Information on using the ERD can be found on page 49 in the Installation Guide. Renaming the System.alt file should only be used as a last resort after you have tried to recover the system using the ERD.

If the Windows NT system files are located on a Windows NT File System (NTFS) partition you will need to boot into another installation of Windows NT to rename the file. If the Windows NT files are located on a FAT partition you can boot from a bootable MS-DOS diskette to rename the file.

MORE INFORMATION

The "flush" process flushes or updates the System hive. During the flush process, changes are marked, written, and then marked as done in the System file. After this is complete the same process happens with the System.alt file. This is to ensure that during a power failure, hardware failure, or software problem you always have a good copy of the System hive.

If the System Hive becomes corrupt during this process and the information is only written to the System file but not the System.alt file, renaming the System.alt file should recover the system.

For more information on the flush process see Chapter 10, Volume 1 of the Windows NT Resource Kit.