When you try to start or restart Windows XP, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive
(file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate
Boot from the Microsoft® Windows® XP cd,
At the Press any key to boot from CD prompt, perform the following steps:
Press the <Spacebar>.
The Windows Setup screen appears, and several files are loaded.
Press the <R> key.
If prompted, select the number corresponding to the Windows installation you want to log on to (usually C:\WINDOWS).
Press the <Enter> key.
Enter the Administrator password (if any) and press the <Enter> key.
The C:\WINDOWS> prompt appears.
NOTE: If the system fails to boot, the following method of recovery is not possible.
To copy the restore point in the recovery console, perform the following steps:
Type cd \ and press the <Enter> key.
Type cd system~1\_resto~1 and press the <Enter> key.
NOTE: If a message Access Denied is displayed while attempting this fix, perform the following steps:
Type cd \ and press the <Enter> key.
Type cd windows\system32\config and press the <Enter> key.
Type ren system system.bak and press the <Enter> key.
Type exit and press the <Enter> key.
Restart the computer.
Continue troubleshooting below.
Type dir and press the <Enter> key.
A list of restore points appear. Choose the restore point which is dated the day prior to the occurence of the reported error.
Type cd rpx (where x represents the restore point you chose in the step above) and press <Enter>.
Type cd snapshot and press the <Enter> key.
Type dir and press <Enter>.
Type copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system and press <Enter>.
Overwrite system? (Yes/No/All): appears.
Type Y and press the <Enter> key.
Type copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software and press the <Enter> key.
Overwrite software? (Yes/No/All): appears.
Type Y and press the <Enter> key.
Type copy _registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam and press the <Enter> key.
Overwrite sam? (Yes/No/All): appears.
Type Y and press the <Enter> key.
Type copy _registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\security and press the <Enter> key.
Overwrite security? (Yes/No/All): appears.
Type Y and press <Enter>.
Type copy _registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default and press the <Enter> key.
Overwrite default? (Yes/No/All): appears.
Type Y and press the <Enter> key.
Type exit and press <Enter> to restart the computer and remove the Windows CD.
NOTE: If any error message is returned while in the recovery console, use an earlier restore point.
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Method 2:
Run the CHKDSK /R command in the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system.
Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive.
Boot the system from the CD drive.
The prompt Press any key to boot from CD... appears.
Press the spacebar.
The Welcome to Setup dialog box appears.
Press the <R> key to repair Windows by using the Recovery Console.
Select the number that is associated with the Windows installation you want to log into, and then type the administrator password (or press the <Enter> key if no administrator password exists).
From Recovery Console, type the following command:
CHKDSK /R
Press the <Enter> key.
From the Recovery Console, type the following command:
EXIT
Press the <Enter> key to restart your computer.
NOTE: If the system still does not boot to the hard drive, attempt to run the CHKDSK /R command again. Depending on the corruption on the hard drive, it may take several tries to achieve a complete repair.
How to recover a corrupted registry in Microsoft® Windows® XP?
Linear Mode
