DOCUMENT:Q102721 06-AUG-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Err Msg: Windows NT Could Not Start Because the Following... PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER::3.5,3.51,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kberrmsg kbWinNT4sp6fix ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0, Terminal Server Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ===== The System subkey of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive in the registry is too large to fit into the allocated memory space. Often, 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 are known to 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 RESOLUTION ========== The only resolution is to use an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD), or perform a reinstallation of Windows NT. After you have recovered the system from a backup or an ERD, you can either reduce the amount of data stored by a service or install the hotfix for the spooler service. Windows NT Server or Workstation 4.0 ------------------------------------ To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to: - http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/ -or- - Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS 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: Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack STATUS ====== 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 exclusively for information that is necessary to boot the computer. Intel and ARC (RISC) systems have a design limit such that 16 MB of memory is available at this stage of the boot process. The System registry file has to 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). Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : kberrmsg kbWinNT4sp6fix Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS350 kbNTTermServ400 kbNTTermServSearch kbWinNTS351search kbWinNTS350search Version : :3.5,3.51,4.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.