Corrupted registry

[Peter]

Somehow my registry got messed up. When trying to start
Widnows XP Home I get a blue screen with the following
message: Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The
registry cannot load the hive (file):\SystemRoot\System32
\Config\OSFTWARE or its log or alternate

I don't think I have Recovery Console installed and don't
know how to find it if I do.

Any help would be appreciated as I'm now dead in the
water.

Thanks.

 

[Skip Knoble]

You can restore the registry by booting from the Windows XP Install CD.
Step-by-step procedure is given at:
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry that Prevents Windows XP
from Starting:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;307545

 

[Unknown]

Accessories---system tools---restore.

You could try loading 'Last Known Good' configuration. If
you can get into Safe Mode you could try using System
Restore; select a date when you knew the computer was
working fine.