I nedd help! Please!

[Tinsicka]

I’m posting this in the hope some of you might know what happened to my system, and may have a suggestion.

Yesterday when I came home I turned on the computer and disaster! I got a blue screen with the message:

Stop: C0000218 {Registry failure{

The registrytry cannot load the hive (file): systemrootsystem32config software or its log alternate. It is corrupt or not writable.

Beginning dump of physical memory.
Physical memory dump completed.
Contact your system administrator or support group for further assistance.

Anybody know what this means???

I tried booting and selecting Last known configuration that worked, or Safe mode, or Safe mode with DOS prompt. I get the same results, the dreaded blue screen and message.

I tried inserting my Windows XP CD and booting from it, selecting Repair Windows… It asked me for a Windows rescue disk! The only one I have is the one I made when I installed my Anti-virus software and if I insert that one… Blue screen again…

Is my only option re-installing WindowsXP completely? I sure hope I don’t have to do that because I will then lose a lot of stuff and will have to re-install all my programs!!!

Also yesterday was my Birthday, could my trouble stem from a virus that was programmed to be activated on my birthday? If so, well a not so Happy Birthday to me.

I’m writing this from work and I’ll be here till 1:00 pm Eastern, if nobody has a suggestion by then I’ll go home and re-install Windows. *sigh*

[AtraAngelis]

Well, you could do the following.

Buy a second HD for your system and Make it your master and the other as a slave and Install your OS on the New drive to recover your Data from the old one.(I Keep a spare drive around for such a case) Finesh rebuilding your machine using the new HD.

In my experience if the Registry Hive has been compromised and is corrupted you are in a world of hurt. Even if you repaired the OS there would be so many broken Registry links that you would need to reinstall any ways.

[Tinsicka]

*Double sigh*

So I have to re-install windows. >:

Thank you so much for your answer, I'm on my way home now to try and see if I can do that succesfully.

I'll let you know how I made out if and when I succeed.

[Tinsicka]

I just got informed that if I don't want to lose all my data I have to bring my system in to have it backed up, repaired and restored.

They can only take it next Tuesday and will have to keep it for a bit. :( :( :(

So don't expect to see me in The Vast. I'll be using this computer here at work to read the board and pick up my email so I won't be totally cut off, but I won't be able to play. :(

Hope to see you all again soon.

[TrooperMaxx]

Ah, the Windows registry.... one of the few things in this world I truly hate. >:

AtraAngelis' advice ought to work, but may be a little more than anyone who didn't build their own computer would be comfortable doing themselves. >_<

An external hard drive would probably be easier to use, but much more difficult to get it to boot from. And that would depend largely on your BIOS setup.

Taking it in to have it restored is probably easiest, just hope it isn't too expensive and goes well.

~Troop

[NinjaMonkey]

Sorry Tinsicka, I wish I could help, but im only 15, im probably dumber than everyone else here. It sucks for me too because I won't be able to play with you a lot since im going back to school next tuesday. 8:25am - 2:30pm.. sorry again, and happy belated birthday

[PensivesWetness]

would a recovery disk help restore that?

[Tinsicka]

The good news is that it won't be too expensive. My sister sells, installs and services computers. :D

The bad news is she's out of town, won't be back till next Tuesday and that she lives in Montréal which is a one hour drive for me. Meaning I have to bring it in next Wednesday (my day off), leave it and then go back to town to get it when it's ready, therefore I'll be without my comp till at least next weekend.

I spoke to her associate and she said they need to use an external hard drive to retrieve my data, and then they can format the disk and re-install windows. The last part I can do myself, but I'm missing the extra hard drive for the first part.
She also said that I probably have this problem because my computer often shuts down incorrectly since where I live we very often lose power. It's only for a second or two but it's enough for my comp to shut down and it happens a lot.

So thank you all for the help, I was hoping it was something I could fix myself but it looks like this time there is no easy way out.

[PensivesWetness]

what causes your power outages? external? the home loses power -or- are you constantly tripping your circuit breakers?

the former, i have little to offer without knowing more of the home situation (not required) but if it's the latter...

well, you might think to turn off a few devices in the house competing for amperage from your home outlets...

[Bernissus]

I'm pretty sure you can buy devices that can "buffer" a power outage of a few seconds for your computer. That could prevent your problem for the future. I have no idea what such a device costs though.

<p>Bernissus (GMT+1)<br>
(Samia Jerias, Sven Longtooth)</p><i></i>

[Tinsicka]

It's because I live in the forest Pensive, and the lines are old.

Geezzz... Our phone lines are also old! We only have dial-up available and can only connect at 28.8 kbs!!!

But I live in a beautiful place by a lake, you can't have everything. ;)

The answer to my problem is a battery for my pc which will take over when I have a power off/on happening. Will get one when I pick up my fixed computer. :D

Going home now to stare at my blank screen. :(

[Dabaro Viloufin]

Battery wont be enough, for better protection go out and purchase an AVR Battery back up surge protector. AVR stands for Automatic Voltage Regulator, if the volts from the wall socket is abnormal, the AVR will compensate for the spikes and produce a smoother line of voltage for the components connected. If the volts are too low, the AVR will use some of the battery to help jump the volts up to keep it at a steady pace while charging the batter as well.

Mine was a 625 AVR and worked good for two years, unfortuanatley I worked the crap outa it and put components on it that went over 625 V, a Transformer litterly blew outside my home and fried my AVR :( But they work, when the voltage goes too low for the AVR to help it out or the power goes out a nice steady beep goes off, depending on how many Volts you pull will tell how long you can run on backup till it shuts off. I could run 20-25 mins before the battery shut off, helped alot.

Look into it, especially with old wiring, will protect your putter and moniter longer than a standard surge protecter with no AVR technology.

[Tinsicka]

Yes, thank you Timo, I looked into it and it's exactly what I need.

I will be getting one of those when I pick up my restored system next week. It should effectively prevent any further hassles.

It will also be nice to not get disconnected from The Vast by a momentary power failure. ;)