Member Avatar for Chooch

argh!

heres the deal. my brothers Dell Inspiron 1100 doesnt let u get into Windows XP. If u try to go to Safe Mode, u get this error

STOP: c0000218 {registry file failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
/SystemRoot/System32/Config/SYSTEM
or its log or alternate
It is corrup, absent, or not writable.

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete
Conact your system admin or tech suppor group for further assistance.

the thing hangs forever if u try to load up in normal mode and then u get the same blue screen of death

Ok, so i do the first logical thing : Change the boot sequence and boot from that convenient Dell Purple XP Windows Recovery cd. I select the repair option and it asks me which version of windows do i want to logon to? So i press 1 (cuz thats the only one) and it asks me for the admin password. So i type it in.

You guessed it. Password Invalid.

It makes absolutley no sense. the only thing i can possibly think of is that the password is to long? is that the problem. its a 12 charachter password and each key deliberatly typed in slowly. So I really cant figure it out.

Help Please!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by rasputinj

Dani AI

Generated

STOP: c0000218 means Windows cannot load the SYSTEM registry hive (C:\Windows\System32\Config\SYSTEM). That hive contains system keys needed both to boot Windows and to validate local account passwords, so a damaged SYSTEM can make the Recovery Console reject any Administrator password — which explains why sees “Password Invalid” even when the password is typed correctly (the length is not the issue). and were on the right track thinking about the admin account, and ’s ERD Commander suggestion is a solid paid option, but there are concrete recovery steps that don’t require reinstalling right away.

Most reliable, common fix (does not require knowing the admin password):

  1. Boot from a PE/live disc (BartPE, Hiren’s MiniXP, an Ubuntu/Knoppix live CD, or an Offline NT Password boot ISO). These let you access the disk without Windows authentication.
  2. Back up the current hives (very important). From a command prompt or file manager copy the whole folder C:\Windows\System32\Config to an external drive or another folder.
  3. If present, copy the prebuilt hives from C:\Windows\Repair into the Config folder. From a Recovery/PE prompt you can use:
cd \windows\system32\config
ren system system.bak
ren software software.bak
ren sam sam.bak
ren security security.bak
ren default default.bak
copy \windows\repair\system
copy \windows\repair\software
copy \windows\repair\sam
copy \windows\repair\security
copy \windows\repair\default
exit

Reboot and test. If that fails and there are System Restore snapshots, the snapshot registry files can be copied into the config folder instead. If you cannot obtain a readable copy of the hives, use a bootable offline password editor (Offline NT Password & Registry Editor/chntpw) to clear the Administrator password so you can use the Recovery Console, or remove the drive and image it before trying more invasive fixes.

Cautions: replacing hives with the Repair copies reverts registry settings to install-time values — user profiles or installed software settings may be lost. Back up data first, and if unsure, remove the drive and image it or seek professional help before proceeding.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for nanosani

Are you sure that you are typing the password correctly ??? if yes then check your username .... you could be typing the password of a user account with admin previllages .... you actually have to type the real admin password (the account with the name administrator) ... Try using a blank password too.

Member Avatar for alc6379

More than likely, it's going to be blank. That's my guess if you've never installed Windows.

Member Avatar for Chooch

Excellent idea ppl, but thats not that answer

This problem is occuring when i try to run the recovery console. You must hav an admin password to acces and THAT is what i am doin. Somehow, its gotten changed and I dont know how. IT WONT ACCEPT MY PAssword adn theres no reaason it shouldnt.

Member Avatar for rasputinj

there are a handful of freeware tools out there to reset password. I use ERD commander which is not free but works well. The other alternative is to reinstall Windows.

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