Member Avatar for laorulez

When Windows XP tries to load, I get the following message: "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this." My options are:

Start in safe mode.
Safe mode with networking.
Safe mode with command prompt.
Last known good configuration setting (most recent setting that worked).
Start Windows normally.


None of these options work for me. I can select any of them and the Windows logo will appear. The screen will go black for a few seconds, then it will turn blue and this message will appear:

Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical
assistance.

and then the computer restarts. Repeat until I shut the computer off completely.


This message only appears for a split second. I had to set my camera to burst mode (to take several pics sequentially) and start the shooting before it even appeared to have a chance to see what it says on my camera.

I don't know what I'm going to do. This laptop is 3 years old and all my files/data are on it.
I recently installed a new program, Peachtree Accounting, on the laptop. I did it about a week ago. Ever since, the laptop ran very slowly at startup. The requirements said at minimum you needed 512 mb of RAM, which is all I have. Now, I cannot even get into my computer :(

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reported a registry-hive boot failure that ended up being fixed by running Windows' disk-repair utility. That outcome is common: when the NTFS file system is damaged (power loss, bad sectors, abrupt shutdowns), Windows can no longer read registry hives and will drop to a recovery loop. Running a full disk check from recovery media often repairs the underlying file-system metadata so the registry can be read again. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the system will not boot, use Recovery Console or equivalent boot media and run a full check of the OS volume until it reports no errors. Typical steps are: boot from XP setup or recovery media (press R for Recovery Console), choose the Windows install, then run the check. Example command to run from Recovery Console or a pre-boot prompt:

chkdsk C: /r

Let that complete (it can take a long time) and repeat until no errors remain. Running chkdsk /r is the usual, low-risk first fix. (lifewire.com)

If chkdsk cannot repair the problem, the documented next step is to restore the registry hives from a recent snapshot or the Repair folder (KB307545 describes this process). That method involves backing up the five hives, copying the copies from the Repair folder or a System Restore snapshot into C:\Windows\System32\Config, then rebooting and performing a normal System Restore. It works, but has caveats (OEM installs and recent updates can make the simple Repair-folder replacement problematic), so back up the disk first. Example Recovery Console commands are shown in the KB summary. (winhelponline.com)

Practical follow-ups: before aggressive fixes, image the drive or remove it and copy personal files using another machine or USB enclosure. If chkdsk reports bad/unrecoverable sectors repeatedly, run the drive maker's diagnostics or check SMART; repeated sector failures mean the drive is failing and data-recovery or replacement should be prioritized. (lifewire.com)

References: WinHelponline: restore registry hives · Lifewire: chkdsk guide · Microsoft Answers threads on c0000218 and chkdsk.

Member Avatar for laorulez

well guys, nevermind! i went to the MS website and followed their suggestions. i ran chkdsk and it fixed the problem!

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