registry hive; install service pack when unable to boot?

[Tom]

I have Dell desktop running XP that won't boot. I get a
blue screen with an "unable to load registry hive file." I
believe I found the solution on the knowledge base - it
says I need the latest service pack, which I assume is 1a.

My two problems are this:

1 - How do I load a service pack if I can't boot?

2 - When I tried to recover, I was prompted for the
administrator password, which I do not know. Will I need
to know that? Also, I have a dell and I believe they have
a standard admin password by default. Anyone know what
that is?

Thanks!
Tom

 

[Roger Abell [MVP]]

I have Dell desktop running XP that won't boot. I get a
blue screen with an "unable to load registry hive file." I
believe I found the solution on the knowledge base - it
says I need the latest service pack, which I assume is 1a.

My two problems are this:

1 - How do I load a service pack if I can't boot?

you cannot

2 - When I tried to recover, I was prompted for the
administrator password, which I do not know. Will I need
to know that? Also, I have a dell and I believe they have
a standard admin password by default. Anyone know what
that is?

have you tried blank, nothing
?