Boot Problem...REGISTRY_ERROR

[Tom]

A new program was installed on our computer. While
running it, the program froze and on rebooting the
computer, I got the "Blue Screen of Death" stating that a
problem had been detected and windows has been shut down
to prevent damage... and the error it gave was
REGISTRY_ERROR.

While it's booting up, it says that Windows didn't load
correctly the last time and gives me the different Safe
Mode choices, as well as start up normally and revert to
last known good configuration. I've tried all of those
with no success. It always goes back to this blue
screen. I also tried the Repair console off the CD but I
don't know what the Administrator password is. Are there
ways around this, or is there something else I can do?

BTW..This is a Windows XP Home Edition machine

Thanks!
Tom

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Not if you don't know the Administrator password. Your only option there is a format/reinstall. Try leaving the Admin password blank.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q307545
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP from Starting