BSOD - registry problem

maxwelltfmaxwelltf
edited January 2009 in Science & Tech
I'm searching, but can anyone point me in the direction of where I can read how to tackle this problem. I'm sure this happens regularly....

Blue Screen -
STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
\systemRoot\System32\Config/SYSTEM
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

This happened after I did some registry changes to remove MS office 2007 trial per the Microsoft KB. I followed the instructions quite closely. Interestingly, after making the reg changes and rebooting, the PC came up just fine. Then, I installed Office 2003 and everything was fine (no reboot needed). Then after running for a little bit, Windows XP automatic update requested a restart (security related files were auto installed). It was after THAT reboot that the BSOD came up.

Not sure it if means anything, but I made a system restore point before any of the registry changes. But of course I can't get to system restore since the crash occurs shortly after the windows boot screen.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

System: Windows XP pro SP2

Comments

  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2009
    Reboot your computer and start hitting F8 before windows loads if you've done it correctly it should come up to a black screen giving you several boot options safe mode, normal and hopefully reboot into last know good configuration, which if all goes well will get you back to your restore point.
  • maxwelltfmaxwelltf
    edited January 2009
    I tried that and selected the last known good configuration, and still get the error. Tried safe mode also. What does all this mean?
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited January 2009
    Well, what it means is you broke your registry. Someone else here may have a better acute solution. But one method that will work is to do a repair install. You won't lose any of your data or anything, but you do need a Windows CD.
  • maxwelltfmaxwelltf
    edited January 2009
    What do you guys think of this. I booted from the windows XP pro install CD and chose enter (as if to install) and then planned to use the option (R) to repair the existing windows installation. But instead, it did not give me the option to repair, it only listed out the partitions on my drive and asked it wanted to create or delete or install. Does that mean it couldnt find a windows installation on my disk (one is there bc it boots to the windows splash screen for about 20 seconds before it crashes)? Or is it because I needed to go one more step by selecting a partition and hitting enter and THEN it would show the existing windows installation on THAT partition?
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