How to Fix BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO Errors

There is only one of two reasons why you should be on this page. Either you have a friend, who has encountered the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error on their computer, and you are trying to help them, or you’ve encountered this error on your own system, and you are looking for viable ways of fixing it.

Most people, when they first encounter a blue screen of death error, they panic. However, for those of you that have discovered this tutorial, you needn’t worry, as you’re one step closer to fixing this problem. All blue screen of death errors are presented with their own unique error code, as long as you know this code, you’ll always be in the best position when it comes to solving this problem.

Symptoms of BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO Errors

There are a couple of symptoms that computer systems exhibit when faced with this particular error, however, the most common are as follows:

• When you start your system, you receive a blue screen of death error message with the following error codes: STOP 0x00000074 (0x00000003, 0x00000002, 0x80087000) BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO
• When using your computer, you may be presented with the error message: The following file is corrupted: toside.sys

Most users have reported experiencing the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error after or during the installation of an application or hardware component. This error is also known to appear during startup (as previously mentioned) and while shutting the system down. Being cognizant of when you encounter the error, helps, when it comes to fixing it.

What Causes This Error

• The primary cause of this BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error is a corrupt or unusable registry. This may occur if an individual has manually edited their systems registry, important values and keys have inadvertently been removed, or if the system has memory issues.
• This error is also known to occur if at least one of the RAM memory modules within your system is damaged or if they have been incorrectly configured – usually through the BIOS.
• Malware or virus infections are also capable of causing blue screen of death errors, by corrupting important system files that the operating system is dependent on for proper functionality.
• Conflicts between the drivers of one or more hardware components are another common cause for this error. Typically, this may occur, after the installation of a new device.

There are so many other things that are capable of causing this error, such as firmware, hardware and software issues. So you should be aware of all of these things, when attempting to troubleshoot this error.

How to Fix It

The BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error can be resolved using a number of different techniques. Depending on your level of expertise, as some methods are more complex than others, you can choose the manual approach or the automated method, through the use of specific tools.

Continue reading for all of these fixes, as they have all been covered.

Run a Registry Scan

If you encounter this error during normal use of your system, then you may want to consider running a registry scan to fix it.

The Windows registry is essentially a database system, which contains important information on your computer. This includes configuration information on applications and hardware components; even information on music you play and recently visited websites is stored in the registry.

If the registry somehow becomes corrupted, then it can lead to a whole plethora of problems for your system; problems such as blue screen of death errors, and random crashing. Blue screen of death errors or fatal errors occur when the system encounters a problem that it cannot solve and thus is forced to shut down or restart the computer in order to protect the hardware components and application data from further damage.

In some instances, people report getting a blue screen of death error just the once, with it never appearing again, however, this is very rare, which is why you are here; action must be taken to fix such problems. This is why I recommend you use Advanced System Repair Pro, which is one of the best registry cleaner tools on the marketplace, primarily due to its efficiency and multifaceted nature. You can pick this tool up from here:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ADVANCED SYSTEM REPAIR PRO

Install Windows

If you know the hardware in your computer is good, and working as it should, then you could reformat your hard drive and start all over again. This is a method that you should only deploy as a last resort, as you will lose all application, documents and settings data.

If you have another hard drive, it may be a good idea to install a new copy of Windows on that, and migrate all your most important data over to it, that way you get to keep and discard data, as you like.

Additionally, installing Windows on a second hard drive can also be used to evaluate whether or not the error is due to a hardware or software configuration.

However, if that sounds all too complicated for you, then I’d have to recommend the use of Reimage, which is a Windows repair tool. This powerful tool is unique in that it’s capable of repairing the integrity of your operating system, by replacing and/or repairing all missing, damaged or corrupted Windows files with a simple click of a button. This eliminates the need to reformat and reinstall Windows; it also eliminates the need for your Windows CD, as it’s capable of acquiring any Windows file that it requires.

So if you’re interested in Reimage, which I definitely feel you should be, then you should check it out here:

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT REIMAGE

The solution(s) below are for ADVANCED level computer users. If you are a beginner to intermediate computer user, I highly recommend you use the automated tool(s) above!

Use Last Known Good Configuration

If the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error has prevented you from successfully booting into your system, then you can use this feature, which will use the registry information from the last successful boot up, to boot into your system. You can use this feature by doing the following:

1. First, start up your system.

2. After the Power on Self Test (POST) screen, press the F8 Key.

3. If done successfully, this should bring up the Advanced Boot Options screen, from here, select Last Known Good Configuration and press Enter.

Use Automatic Startup Repair

If the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error is due to a missing or damaged file, then you should consider using the inbuilt repair environment, available on Windows Vista/7 based systems. For Windows XP users, you can run a repair installation, which will reinstall Windows XP onto your system without erasing any settings or application data. For help on how to do this, I suggest you check out my post on how to speed up your system.

For Windows Vista\7 Users, you can access this repair tool by following the instructions on my post on fixing UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME errors.

From following the instructions above, you will be able to access the automatic repair function, Windows system restore (which you can learn more about on my page on Windows restore), the memory diagnostic tool and command prompt.

Test Your Memory

If the above method failed to fix the problem, then there is a strong chance that you have defective memory; this is more than likely the case if the error occurs intermittently, when the system is hot or cold. To determine whether or not your memory is defective, you should consider using a memory tester.

Windows Vista/7 has its own built in memory diagnostic tool, which you can use to test your memory. For information on how to access this tool, simply follow the instructions on my post on repairing Kernel_Data_Inpage_Errors.

For individuals that are using Windows XP or other Windows versions, they can use third-party applications, which are just as efficient, if not more so. For information on these particular products, I suggest you check out my post on stress testing software.

Additionally, you may want to ensure the following:

• That the memory modules inside your computer are of the same type and speed. Most motherboards operate best, when identically matched memory modules are installed inside of them.
• If you made changes to your memory just before you started to encounter this error, then you should consider reverting back to your previous configuration, to ensure that your recent change isn’t the source of your problem.
• Make sure the memory modules are securely seated inside your motherboard. Memory sockets have latches on either side that lock the memory modules into place when the memory is correctly installed.
• Make sure the memory is installed in the correct slots in your motherboard. To do this, you will need to refer to your motherboard manual. Not every motherboard is the same, some motherboard brands; require that your matching pair of memory modules should be installed adjacent to one another, while others do not.
• There is also that possibility the error is due to your graphics card, as they also contain their own memory. Consider testing this theory, by using a different graphics card inside your computer.

Restore Your Computer

If the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error is due to a recent change in your operating system, then you should use Windows restore to set your system back to a point when it was working correctly.

In order for you to successfully use this feature, it must already be enabled and running in the background, otherwise you won’t have the restore points, of which you will require, to set your system back to a period when it was working correctly.

For more information on how to enable and run this tool, I suggest you check out my post on using Window restore.

Are you looking for a way to repair all the errors on your computer?

If the answer is Yes, then I highly recommend you check out Advanced System Repair Pro.

Which is the leading registry cleaner program online that is able to cure your system from a number of different ailments such as Windows Installer Errors, Runtime Errors, Malicious Software, Spyware, System Freezing, Active Malware, Blue Screen of Death Errors, Rundll Errors, Slow Erratic Computer Performance, ActiveX Errors and much more. Click here to check it out NOW!