(Registry File Failure) Cannot load hive file

[Guest]

Does anyone have information on what the following means,
and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?

This is the message:

Error Message:

(Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
(file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
absent, or not writeable.

------------------
This is microsofts response:

User Action:

This is a Windows 2000 Executive STATUS error message.
Contact your system administrator right away about this
computer configuration (Registry) problem.

The problem is with our home computer so we don't have a
system administrator.

Please help.

 

[Dave Patrick]

You didn't mention the hive. Assuming the system hive and you already tried
LKG, It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

If the software hive, it may be possible to rename the software hive found
in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

|
| Does anyone have information on what the following means,
| and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?
|
| This is the message:
|
| Error Message:
|
| (Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
| (file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
| absent, or not writeable.
|
| ------------------
| This is microsofts response:
|
| User Action:
|
| This is a Windows 2000 Executive STATUS error message.
| Contact your system administrator right away about this
| computer configuration (Registry) problem.
|
| The problem is with our home computer so we don't have a
| system administrator.
|
| Please help.

 

[Dave Patrick]

You didn't mention the hive. Assuming the system hive and you already tried
LKG, It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

If the software hive, it may be possible to rename the software hive found
in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

|
| Does anyone have information on what the following means,
| and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?
|
| This is the message:
|
| Error Message:
|
| (Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
| (file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
| absent, or not writeable.
|
| ------------------
| This is microsofts response:
|
| User Action:
|
| This is a Windows 2000 Executive STATUS error message.
| Contact your system administrator right away about this
| computer configuration (Registry) problem.
|
| The problem is with our home computer so we don't have a
| system administrator.
|
| Please help.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Does anyone have information on what the following means,
and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?

This is the message:

Error Message:

(Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
(file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
absent, or not writeable.

Hi

Some steps you can try:


=================================================
Windows 2000 Registry Repair Utility
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...01-2C68-4DE8-9229-CA494362419C&displaylang=en

<quote>
Overview
Registry Corruption in Windows 2000 can prevent your system from
booting. The Windows 2000 Registry Repair Utility is a tool that
can help to recover a Windows 2000 system from registry corruption.
This utility can be downloaded on to floppy disks and then run on
the system with the corrupted registry. Six floppy disks are required
for downloading this utility. The utility will attempt to repair
the corrupted registry and allow your machine to boot again.

Note Depending on the type of registry corruption that has occurred,
running this utility could result in some data loss from the registry.
Also, this utility may be unable to repair some types of registry
corruptions.
</quote>


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try this:

When you start your computer, press F8 repeatedly. You should boot
into the Windows 2000 Advanced Options menu.

Choose "Last Known Good Configuration"


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try to rename/replace the registry hive
from the Recovery Console:

Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=229716

and
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=#[email protected]

and
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP
from Starting (relevant for Windows 2000 as well)
support.microsoft.com/?id=307545


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try to do a repair install:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=306952


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, you might consider a format/reinstall.
If you have valuable data you need to rescue first, e.g. move the
hard disk over to a working system and copy out the data.

You might need this one in that case (applies to Win2k as well):

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Does anyone have information on what the following means,
and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?

This is the message:

Error Message:

(Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
(file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
absent, or not writeable.

Hi

Some steps you can try:


=================================================
Windows 2000 Registry Repair Utility
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...01-2C68-4DE8-9229-CA494362419C&displaylang=en

<quote>
Overview
Registry Corruption in Windows 2000 can prevent your system from
booting. The Windows 2000 Registry Repair Utility is a tool that
can help to recover a Windows 2000 system from registry corruption.
This utility can be downloaded on to floppy disks and then run on
the system with the corrupted registry. Six floppy disks are required
for downloading this utility. The utility will attempt to repair
the corrupted registry and allow your machine to boot again.

Note Depending on the type of registry corruption that has occurred,
running this utility could result in some data loss from the registry.
Also, this utility may be unable to repair some types of registry
corruptions.
</quote>


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try this:

When you start your computer, press F8 repeatedly. You should boot
into the Windows 2000 Advanced Options menu.

Choose "Last Known Good Configuration"


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try to rename/replace the registry hive
from the Recovery Console:

Description of the Windows 2000 Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=229716

and
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=#[email protected]

and
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry That Prevents Windows XP
from Starting (relevant for Windows 2000 as well)
support.microsoft.com/?id=307545


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, try to do a repair install:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=306952


=================================================
If that doesn't work out, you might consider a format/reinstall.
If you have valuable data you need to rescue first, e.g. move the
hard disk over to a working system and copy out the data.

You might need this one in that case (applies to Win2k as well):

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

 

[johnsadams]

Dear Dave,

Doesn't Recovery Console have to be installed by itself before you can use
it?
I may have misread your post, but it sounded like if he gets another
computer to
create the Setup floppy disks he can use those to run Recovery Console.
Would
that be true on any Win2000 computer, even if RC wasn't specifically
installed?

Also, how can you make Setup floppies?

Thanks,

Steve Adams (new to Win2000)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Patrick" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.registry
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: Registry File Failure

If the software hive is corrupt, it may be possible to rename the software
hive found in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| cannot boot windows 2000 prof. get message - STOP:
| c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load
| the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software or
| its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not
| writable.
|
| Beginning dump of physical memory Physical memory dump
| complete. Contact your system administrator or technical
| support group.
|
| Norton suggests windows has run out of kernel space
| causing this problem. Suggesting change the IRP stack
| size in windows 2000. Dell refers me to Microsoft.
| Microsoft on-line tech support refers me back to Dell.

You didn't mention the hive. Assuming the system hive and you already tried
LKG, It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

If the software hive, it may be possible to rename the software hive found
in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

|
| Does anyone have information on what the following means,
| and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?
|
| This is the message:
|
| Error Message:
|
| (Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
| (file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
| absent, or not writeable.
|
| ------------------
| This is microsofts response:
|
| User Action:
|
| This is a Windows 2000 Executive STATUS error message.
| Contact your system administrator right away about this
| computer configuration (Registry) problem.
|
| The problem is with our home computer so we don't have a
| system administrator.
|
| Please help.

 

[johnsadams]

Dear Dave,

Doesn't Recovery Console have to be installed by itself before you can use
it?
I may have misread your post, but it sounded like if he gets another
computer to
create the Setup floppy disks he can use those to run Recovery Console.
Would
that be true on any Win2000 computer, even if RC wasn't specifically
installed?

Also, how can you make Setup floppies?

Thanks,

Steve Adams (new to Win2000)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Patrick" <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win2000.registry
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 4:10 PM
Subject: Re: Registry File Failure

If the software hive is corrupt, it may be possible to rename the software
hive found in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| cannot boot windows 2000 prof. get message - STOP:
| c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load
| the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\Software or
| its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not
| writable.
|
| Beginning dump of physical memory Physical memory dump
| complete. Contact your system administrator or technical
| support group.
|
| Norton suggests windows has run out of kernel space
| causing this problem. Suggesting change the IRP stack
| size in windows 2000. Dell refers me to Microsoft.
| Microsoft on-line tech support refers me back to Dell.

You didn't mention the hive. Assuming the system hive and you already tried
LKG, It may be possible to rename the system hive found in
%windir%\system32\config\system
to system.old
then rename
%windir%\system32\config\system.alt
to
%windir%\system32\config\system

You can also try using the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback

If that fails you haven't much choice but to copy/ use the
original-as-installed system hive from
%windir%\repair\system
to
%windir%\system32\config\system
You'll need to reinstall the device drivers for any hardware added since the
original OS install.

If the software hive, it may be possible to rename the software hive found
in;
%windir%\system32\config\software
to software.old
then copy the most recent backup found in
%windir%\repair\regback
as
%windir%\system32\config\software

If that fails you can copy/ use the file
%windir%\repair\software
This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd
have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well
blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you
to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.)

To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup
floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD,
use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks.
Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows
2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The
Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do
not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the
computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery
Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted
or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts
in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot
access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot,
and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated,
you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard
disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer:
%systemroot% and %windir%


--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

|
| Does anyone have information on what the following means,
| and what can be done to fix (and boot-up the computer)?
|
| This is the message:
|
| Error Message:
|
| (Registry File Failure) The registry cannot load the hive
| (file): filename or its log or alternate. It is corrupt,
| absent, or not writeable.
|
| ------------------
| This is microsofts response:
|
| User Action:
|
| This is a Windows 2000 Executive STATUS error message.
| Contact your system administrator right away about this
| computer configuration (Registry) problem.
|
| The problem is with our home computer so we don't have a
| system administrator.
|
| Please help.

 

[Dave Patrick]

:
| Dear Dave,
|
| Doesn't Recovery Console have to be installed by itself before you can
use
| it?
* No start it from the CD-Rom or setup disks.

| I may have misread your post, but it sounded like if he gets another
| computer to
| create the Setup floppy disks he can use those to run Recovery Console.
| Would
| that be true on any Win2000 computer, even if RC wasn't specifically
| installed?
|
| Also, how can you make Setup floppies?
* To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. The set of four install
disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk
directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe
(from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Dave Patrick]

:
| Dear Dave,
|
| Doesn't Recovery Console have to be installed by itself before you can
use
| it?
* No start it from the CD-Rom or setup disks.

| I may have misread your post, but it sounded like if he gets another
| computer to
| create the Setup floppy disks he can use those to run Recovery Console.
| Would
| that be true on any Win2000 computer, even if RC wasn't specifically
| installed?
|
| Also, how can you make Setup floppies?
* To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000
Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. The set of four install
disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk
directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe
(from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect