cannot boot due to registry missing or corrupted
I have follow the advice that i have found on other related topics but I am having the added problem of the sorftware registry is missing. I am now stuck. Is there a way to take the needed registry hives off a xp boot disk. This is a Dell with no disk. I am trying to use a old XP disk that I have.
Raheman M. Abdul
Follow: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us
try booting while pressing F8, and chosing "Last known good configuration."
Also, a checkdisk might be in order, or even a Hard Drive diagnostic test. Depending on the manufacturer of your HDD, you will find that most provide a bootable cd or floppy diagnostic program that also will attempt sector repair.
Also, a checkdisk might be in order, or even a Hard Drive diagnostic test. Depending on the manufacturer of your HDD, you will find that most provide a bootable cd or floppy diagnostic program that also will attempt sector repair.
Presumably you've got an error message similar to the ones described here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
The link talks about ways of copying a backup of the registry across to the correct folder.
The link talks about ways of copying a backup of the registry across to the correct folder.
ASKER
I tried this already but get stuck here
copy c:\windows\system32\config
It is telling me that it cannot copy file. When search the system32 folder there is no folder software.
copy c:\windows\system32\config
It is telling me that it cannot copy file. When search the system32 folder there is no folder software.
Hmm.
Slow again.
And just need to add that the registry hives don't exist on a Windows boot CD.
Slow again.
And just need to add that the registry hives don't exist on a Windows boot CD.
Do not use the process in the link above if this is a Dell OEM install! - See the warning on that page.
Is there any way you can get hold of a Dell OEM reinstallation CD for the same version of XP? - then a repair reinstall will fill in the gaps for you without damaging the rest of the install.
If you use the non-Dell CD it will work but you'll have an installation that needs the activation code matchnig your other disk - that could take a while to unpick.
Is there any way you can get hold of a Dell OEM reinstallation CD for the same version of XP? - then a repair reinstall will fill in the gaps for you without damaging the rest of the install.
If you use the non-Dell CD it will work but you'll have an installation that needs the activation code matchnig your other disk - that could take a while to unpick.
That is telling you that that file does not exist.
Try copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config
Try copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config
ASKER
i have done all of the above. still no luck
If
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config
doesn't work then you didn't have a backup copy of that file or it has been deleted or possibly your hard disk is corrupt.
You are now looking at a reinstall.
--------------------------
Also
When search the system32 folder there is no folder software.
Don't you mean c:\windows\system32\config
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config
doesn't work then you didn't have a backup copy of that file or it has been deleted or possibly your hard disk is corrupt.
You are now looking at a reinstall.
--------------------------
Also
When search the system32 folder there is no folder software.
Don't you mean c:\windows\system32\config
ASKER
dbrunton:
the hive missing is software do I need to it for software as well?
the hive missing is software do I need to it for software as well?
ASKER
the stop error says that the registry cannot loan the \systemroot\system32\confi
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.