the registry cannot load the hive (file):

[saytheya]

this morning i shut off my computer like i normally do and just went to turn it on and i got the following error message:

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 writeable.

beginning dump of physical memory
physical memory dump complete.
contact your system administrator or technical support group for further
assistance.

every morning i put my computer on hibernate except when i get an error message saying "insufficient system resources exist to complete API" then i just use the shut down option. when i went to turn it back on a few minutes ago i got the error message above about the registry file failure. i tried starting up in safe mode and last known good config, but i get a blue screen with the error message.

computer:
dell inspiron e1505 (laptop)
windows xp media center edition w/ sp2
78 gb hdd
1.5 gb memory
i think i have 1.5gb of RAM (i added new memory at the beginning of the summer and i think i still have the original memory card that came with the computer)

i scan every night with avg v. 8

i don't have an XP cd, as far as i know i didn't get one with this computer
EDIT: i called dell and i'm having them mail me the recovery cds..hopefully they send the correct ones and i'll have them within the week...

what can i do to fix this?

[lostcoast]

A recovery may be the only way to fix it..its best to have all important files backed up off the computer in case this happens and a recovery isnt the fix because then a new install will cause all files to be erased.  You can also hook up the hard drive in another computer as a slave and recover files if ya get stuck and you have to do a new install and dont want to lose personal files.

another option is to install windows on another drive set as master and then use your old drive as a slave to recover files.

[saytheya]

how am i supposed to back up my files if i can't get past the blue screen with the error message?

[lostcoast]

read what I said in the earlyer post

you dont have to use windows on that drive to get files off of it

[patio]

You need to borrow a WinXP Pro CD with SP2 included on it.

Boot to the CD and at the first prompt type R and hit Enter to bring up the Recovery Console.

Then follow the instructions in the link below to correct the error...

Clik Here

[saytheya]

i got as far as c:\windows\system32\config

when i tried to type dir system in, it gave me this message:
c:\windows\system32\config>dir system
the volume in drive c has no label
the volume serial number is a466-8abe

i'm having a hard time understanding what to do if typing in dir system doesn't work on the page linked...

[patio]

Continue on with the instructions in the link...they tell you what to do if you get this error.
You are now going to copy the repair system files which should do the trick.

[saytheya]

i got an error when i tried to copy the system file...i think it said the file could not be found

[soybean]

You need to borrow a WinXP Pro CD with SP2 included on it.

Boot to the CD and at the first prompt type R and hit Enter to bring up the Recovery Console.

Then follow the instructions in the link below to correct the error...

Clik Here

patio, since he has XP Media Center edition, will he need a CD for Media Center edition for this procedure to work?

[patio]

From everything i've read there are very few MCE CD's out there...
The one's that are are mostly OEM's which make it harder to get to the RC.
It was originally a 2 CD set.
Every repair reference i have seen suggests using an XP Pro CD to facilitate repairs on an MCE system.
At any rate the files/folders in use are created on his drive when Windows is originally installed...

[saytheya]

i tried following the directions in the link but when i get to this point:

Type copy c:\windows\repair\system , and then press ENTER.

i get a message saying "the system cannot find the file specified."

this doesn't work: For example, type cd system32 , press ENTER, type cd config , and then press ENTER.

i get the same message as above.

i got the discs from dell yesterday and that's what i've been using. the disc says:
operating system
already installed on your computer
reinstallation dvd
microsoft windows xp media center version 2005 with update rollup 2

along with this disc i also have others that dell sent me. they are:

-application - for reinstalling dell tools system software (antivirus software, support software, multimedia software, internet software)
-application - reinstalling dell mediadirect 3
-drivers and utilities (device drivers, diagnostics and utilities)

-reinstall cyberlink powerdvd
-roxio creator premier

[saytheya]

i'm also no longer getting the blue screen with the error message. the error message now shows up on the screen that asks if you want to start in safe mode, last good config, or start normally. it says: windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system

do i need an actual XP program disc or will the disc that dell sent me work?

EDIT: after i had this problem, i ran the diagnostic test for "cannot boot OS" and got these errors:
SATA disk s/n = 3PK0KCLP READ TEST
00F00:0244

msg: block 79612
uncorrectable data error or media is write protected

msg: block 79613
msg: block 55592738
msg: block 55592739
msg: block 65816642
msg: block 65816643
msg: block 110111448

SATA disk s/n = 3PK0KCLP VERIFY TEST
0F00:1A44

msg: block 79612
uncorrectable data error or media is write protected

msg: block 79613
msg: block 55592738
msg: block 55592739
msg: block 65816642
msg: block 65816643
msg: block 110111448

and the confidence test didn't run, but the others ran fine. the read and verify test were the only tests that found errors

[patio]

If you use the Dell Recovery CD you will lose all your data and any programs installed since the machine was new...
Those CD's basically re-install everything but also wipe out everything in the process.
It will take the laptop back to Day One status.

To backup your files before doing this you need a laptop to IDE connector:



About 8 bucks at any PC store.
The drive will need to be removed from the laptop so you may want to enlist some help on this step with someone who has done it before,
Then simply connect the drive to any working Desktop machine and copy/burn your important data.

You can then return the drive to the laptop and run the Recovery Dell CD's and the machine will be as it was when you bought it.

[saytheya]

i think i've backed up all my files. is there a walk through for reinstalling windows? will reinstalling windows definitely fix the problem?