Member Avatar for ep2002

My son tried to access our laptop & this is what it said :(

This is the message blue screen

Stop C0000218 {Registry File Failure}

The registry can't load the hive (file) \systemroot\system32\config\software or it's log or alternate.

It is corrupt, absent or not writeable,. Beginning dump of physical memory. Physical memory dump complete. Contact your System Admin or technical support for further assistance.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks


Michelle

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This Stop C0000218 error means Windows cannot load the SOFTWARE registry hive (the file named SOFTWARE under \Windows\System32\Config). recommended trying F8/safemode and mentioned using the XP disc; pointed to Microsoft docs — but because cannot get into Windows or use the original CD, here are practical, non-destructive recovery paths that don’t depend on the running OS.

A commonly successful fix is to restore known-good registry copies that Windows keeps in the Repair folder. If you can get a command prompt (Recovery Console, WinPE, or a Linux/Live-USB), back up the current hives and copy the repair copies into place. From a Windows-style command prompt the steps look like this:

cd \windows\system32\config
ren software software.bak
ren system system.bak
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default
exit

If you don’t have an XP disc, boot the laptop from a Linux live CD/USB or a WinPE-based rescue disk (or remove the drive and connect it to another PC) to rename and copy those files. Always copy the bad files to a safe location first, so you can restore them if needed.

Notes and cautions: Repair copies are often from the original install date, so you may lose installed programs and some settings and will likely have to reinstall drivers/apps. If the Repair folder is missing or the copy fails, copy off personal files first (using a live USB) and then either obtain manufacturer recovery media (check the COA/product sticker) or get professional help to avoid data loss.

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Member Avatar for Dortz

Had you or your son installed any programs on the machine just prior to trying to restart?

Try to boot into safemode. Hit F8 just before the windows load screen shows up. that will give you boot options, and select safemode.

If you can get into safemode, that's a start. go to run, and type 'msconfig' without the quotes. under the startup options, deselect all the programs, and try to reboot.

If you CAN'T get into safemode, then the hard drive is most likely currupted. This could be from an old drive getting bad sectors, or it could be software based from the computer stopping unexpectedly. You'd have a couple of options from here:

one, a program that's saved my bacon before, called Spinrite. it's a drive recovery tool that should help recover your laptops hard drive.

If you don't want to shell out the 80 bucks for spinrite, you could try reinstalling windows on the machine. make sure you wipe the partition, don't just try a repair-install. and when you format the drive, use a standard format, not a quick one. the standard format will look through the drive, mark any bad sectors, and not use them.

Member Avatar for hughv

What is the OS?
See this MS KB article:

Member Avatar for ep2002

thanks, but if he can't get to windows, he can't get to start, & F8 isn't working.

Thanks anyway


Michelle

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

i am assuming you have windows XP installed, Correct? put the Xp cd in the pc set you bios to boot from the cd first. when you get tot he screeen to repair windows choose r, windows will delete some files then reinstall critical system files. reastrt you shold be back into windows.

Member Avatar for ep2002

Yeh unfortunately we bought this laptop used, & we don't have the disk, & now I'm finding out my son lost my bought version of XP Proff., so I'm not happy.

Thanks anyway


Michelle

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