hive file corrupted

C

Cris

Hello all, please help... windows xp pro tablet edition, SP2

[ short version:

I'm getting this message: The registry cannot load the hive file:
SystemRoot/System32/config/SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It is
corrupt, absent, or not writeable.

I've followed the steps in here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
but they didn't work.
]

Long version:

I was using my laptop when the battery ran out without a warning, so
it just powered off by itself. When I plugged it in and tried to start
it, got this message

"The registry cannot load the hive file: SystemRoot/System32/config/
SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not
writeable."

It flashed on the screen for a few splitseconds.

I booted with the manufacturer's disks and went to Recovery Console
and ran chkdsk. According to it, "Errors were fixed". But the error
message kept the same. Then I selected the option where "setup can try
to repair a damaged installation".

After the setup completed, i was able to run windows normally, except
for a few settings (colors, wallpaper, etc) and some programs
complained of wrong DLLs.

I restarted and the message still appears, only this time stays on
screen, while the "memory dump to disk" counter works slowly upwards.

I replaced the hive files as described in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
I replaced them from both the "repair" folder and later from the
"snapshot" folder

Still no luck, the message is the same.
Safe mode / last known good / none of them work.

Whenever I choose to "repair an existing installation", I can get to
windows "almost normally". I've done this three times already. As soon
as I restart, the problem appears again. I've been using the "stand
by" (as i normally do) to avoid restarting... what can I do to fix
this, short of a full reinstall of the OS? Will a full reinstall wipe
"My Documents" folder? Can I reinstall on top of this damaged windows?

Thanks in advance for your answers!
Please don't reply to my mailbox, I just use it to login and post to
the groups.
 
J

John Wunderlich

m:
I was using my laptop when the battery ran out without a warning,
so it just powered off by itself. When I plugged it in and tried
to start it, got this message

"The registry cannot load the hive file:
SystemRoot/System32/config/ SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It
is corrupt, absent, or not writeable."

[...]
I replaced the hive files as described in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545 I replaced them from both
the "repair" folder and later from the "snapshot" folder

Still no luck, the message is the same.
Safe mode / last known good / none of them work.

You didn't expcicitly say you did this, but....
Did you follow the instructions in Part 4 of KB307545? (ie perform a
"System Restore")?
Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore
You should pick the last restore date before your laptop developed this
problem.

HTH,
John
 
C

Cris

Hello all, please help... windows xp pro tablet edition, SP2

[ short version:

I'm getting this message: The registry cannot load thehivefile:
SystemRoot/System32/config/SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It iscorrupt, absent, or not writeable.

I've followed the steps in here:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
but they didn't work.
]

Long version:

I was using my laptop when the battery ran out without a warning, so
it just powered off by itself. When I plugged it in and tried to start
it, got this message

"The registry cannot load thehivefile: SystemRoot/System32/config/
SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It iscorrupt, absent, or not
writeable."

It flashed on the screen for a few splitseconds.

I booted with the manufacturer's disks and went to Recovery Console
and ran chkdsk. According to it, "Errors were fixed". But the error
message kept the same. Then I selected the option where "setup can try
to repair a damaged installation".

After the setup completed, i was able to run windows normally, except
for a few settings (colors, wallpaper, etc) and some programs
complained of wrong DLLs.

I restarted and the message still appears, only this time stays on
screen, while the "memory dump to disk" counter works slowly upwards.

I replaced thehivefiles as described inhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
I replaced them from both the "repair" folder and later from the
"snapshot" folder

Still no luck, the message is the same.
Safe mode / last known good / none of them work.

Whenever I choose to "repair an existing installation", I can get to
windows "almost normally". I've done this three times already. As soon
as I restart, the problem appears again. I've been using the "stand
by" (as i normally do) to avoid restarting... what can I do to fix
this, short of a full reinstall of the OS? Will a full reinstall wipe
"My Documents" folder? Can I reinstall on top of this damaged windows?

Thanks in advance for your answers!
Please don't reply to my mailbox, I just use it to login and post to
the groups.

Philo: Thanks, I will contact HP and ask them about their diagnostics
(a quick search on my PC didn't find any such tools except the
standard windows disk verification which I ran with the option to
search for bad sectors enabled)

John: Looks like the "R" repair option wiped prior restore dates. I
tried to replace the faulty files with some I found on a "snapshot"
folder but the error persists.

The folder looked something like C:\System Volume Information
\_restore{D86480E3-73EF-47BC-A0EB-A81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot

Right now I'm in the process of saving all my data to dvd and then I
will reinstall xp, if that doesn't work I will format then reinstall.
If that doesn't work it's time for a new hard disk...

Greetings
C.
 

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