can't get into ERC

[Gary Roach]

I'm working on an XP Home machine with a registry problem. The file system
is NTFS. The machine gives a blue screen on boot and reports 0xc0000218 stop
error on the software hive. I've replaced this file with system restore
versions using another computer and with the c:\windows\repair version. I
get the same error. I've also done chkdsk fix scans on the drive using
another computer. I still get the same error. When I boot off the the XP cd
I don't even get the option of going into the repair console. It goes
straight to the list of partitions and doesn't give the "R" option to repair
the install. I've tried putting the ERC directly on the hard drive and
booting into it that way, but when I do so, all I get is the cursor at the
top of the screen - it never gets into the ERC. What to try next? Thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm working on an XP Home machine with a registry problem. The file system
is NTFS. The machine gives a blue screen on boot and reports 0xc0000218
stop error on the software hive. I've replaced this file with system
restore versions using another computer and with the c:\windows\repair
version. I get the same error. I've also done chkdsk fix scans on the
drive using another computer. I still get the same error. When I boot off
the the XP cd I don't even get the option of going into the repair
console. It goes straight to the list of partitions and doesn't give the
"R" option to repair the install. I've tried putting the ERC directly on
the hard drive and booting into it that way, but when I do so, all I get
is the cursor at the top of the screen - it never gets into the ERC. What
to try next? Thanks.

I would do a manual System Restore, using the method described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545.

 

[Gary Roach]

I want to do that method, but I can't get into the ERC.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Use your other computer, same as you did when you ran chkdsk.

 

[Gary Roach]

I tried replacing the software hive as well as the default, system, sam, and
security files from a system restore "snapshot" using the other computer and
a hard drive enclosure. Still, the Windows CD doesn't see the install and
doesn't offer to let me go into the ERC. I also tried copying all files from
the partition onto another disk that had been formated with FAT32, in case
there was some kind of security problem occuring as a result of the NTFS
filesystem. Still, I can't get into the ERC or perform a repair install.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

What you report suggests that it's not just the registry that is
damaged but certain key files too. You may have to reload
Windows from scratch.

 

[Gary Roach]

Well success! I tried some different restore points and got it to work.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Thanks for the feedback. It suggests that your problem is not
as recent as you thought it was.