Registry problem, possible reinstallation

Deliverance XXV

Hey guys,
Just looking for a bit of help on this one...
My nephew somehow corrupted the registry on his comp.
The OS is Win XP and we have the repair disc for it.
The problem is a Registry File Failure.
Error code on BSOD is C0000218
I did my research on it but it looks like more hassle than it's worth.
So we agreed we would reinstall OS.

So, does repair and recovery disc have OS Install files on it?
And if it does, how to access them as BSOD appears just after bios screen?

Thanks for your time guys in advance

ethernet

I assume that BSOD is happening just when Windows loads. You should be able to boot off a CD. Have a poke in the BIOS and set it to boot from floppy or CD first and then the hard drive.

Some of those recovery CDs seem to require access to a 'hidden' partition on the hard drive. Others are actually independent of it. Try booting from it. There's no reason for it not to work unless the hard drive is screwed or unless you deleted that recovery partition [that's if there even was one and if it's even needed].

Deliverance XXV

As soon as the loading bar comes up, that's when the BSOD appears.
Hmmm yeah I tried booting from the disc drive but no luck?
It's like it doesn't even read it?
Besides, what's on the disc is only a mirror of what's on the partition?
So still stuck in the mud?
Any ideas on how to access that partition?
Any more ideas?

joePC

Boot into Windows XP recovery console, let it run then boot normally.

Deliverance XXV

joePC wrote:

Boot into Windows XP recovery console, let it run then boot normally.

That's the problem.. I cant!

joePC

I cant promote unlawful downloading but if you dont have the XP disc get a lend of one.

ethernet

King Nothing wrote:

As soon as the loading bar comes up, that's when the BSOD appears.
Hmmm yeah I tried booting from the disc drive but no luck?
It's like it doesn't even read it?
Besides, what's on the disc is only a mirror of what's on the partition?
So still stuck in the mud?
Any ideas on how to access that partition?
Any more ideas?

Is the CD even being read in the drive on boot-up? At least if it give an error message it would be of some help. Not much good giving you a CD if it's not even bootable.

Deliverance XXV

Ok after entering the bios and setting the boot drive to cd-rom, it restarts and during boot up (No bootable cd in drive) is what's to be read, then it moves to booting from hard drive where the problem occurs.

Error code is 'c0000218' (Registry File Failure)

Cheers guys

PS. This is his comp.

Deliverance XXV

Okay may have fixed the problem.
And this part is ridiculous. It wont boot from the Cd-Rom unless Floppy Drive is 2nd Boot device!

Here was what I was doing:
1st Boot Device: Cd-Rom
2nd Boot Device: Hard Drive
3rd Boot Device: Floppy Drive
4th Boot Device: PXE Lan

And here was what they wanted:
1st Boot Device: Cd-Rom
2nd Boot Device: Floppy Drive
3rd Boot Device: Hard Drive
4th Boot Device: PXE Lan


Bit silly isn't it?!!
Thanks for your time anyway guys!

Deliverance XXV

Okay here's another complication!

After letting the disc do it's stuff ( which had practically no options BTW!) I am presented with a request for a password and username. I rang up my nephew who is the owner and he gave me his info and details (all upper and lower casing correct) and wont accept password?
Is this a Bios password? An admin password?
This computer, I believe is on it's third owner.
Thanks again guys

ethernet

King Nothing wrote:

Okay here's another complication!

After letting the disc do it's stuff ( which had practically no options BTW!) I am presented with a request for a password and username. I rang up my nephew who is the owner and he gave me his info and details (all upper and lower casing correct) and wont accept password?
Is this a Bios password? An admin password?
This computer, I believe is on it's third owner.
Thanks again guys

That's odd. Is it trying to repair the existing Windows install? In that case, you'd want the Administrator password which is blank by default. Most BIOS passwords seem to prompt for input before trying to boot an OS, not during an install.

Deliverance XXV

It requests it after installation?
I assume it's an installation as it loads all the windows files and goes to regular installation processes except it doesn't give the option to delete partitions etc and what version of windows Xp to install?
Very weird....
Regardless, as it stands I would have complete access only for the username/password prompt?

Deliverance XXV

Problem still persists. Anyone got an idea of what to do?

Kimbot

Post a pic of the Password request.

Deliverance XXV

I think he may have a dusting problem too.... :rolleyes:
Thanks guys.

ethernet

King Nothing wrote:

It requests it after installation?
I assume it's an installation as it loads all the windows files and goes to regular installation processes except it doesn't give the option to delete partitions etc and what version of windows Xp to install?
Very weird....
Regardless, as it stands I would have complete access only for the username/password prompt?

I'd be curious to see what's in the folder C:\Documents and Settings -- what users are there. Perhaps the pre-installed system had a hidden user, OEM for example, which allowed you to do the last step of the Windows installation of creating users.

BKtje

i assume you tried "administrator" as username and blank password. I know you tried blank password but did you stick administrator in as username?

Deliverance XXV

The first name I provided the prompt with was Administrator with a
blank password and got this extra prompt-
"Unable to log you on because of an account restriction"

A pre-installed user is possible as the computer, as I was informed,
was from a local shop and was playing dvd's in shop etc so that would conclude that it was installed from the shop primarily? Problem being
that that shop is now closed..
But surely a reinstall should be deemed just that- a complete re-install?

Maybe this could be related, maybe not. But everytime it boots up, it does a disc check for consistency?

Kimbot

Only thing I can think of is a full reformat and reinstall!!

There is a way to get past that password promt though!!
Have you tried safe mode??

Deliverance XXV

For some odd reason I cant find a safe mode option?

I would love to completely reformat but any ideas on how to?
Maybe if I got a loan of a XP CD (other than my nephews, as his seems to be locked to a certain extent?) to use for install files then use my nephews Activation code found on the sticker on the side of the pc?
Where would I get a loan of a XP CD? Everyone I know has converted to Vista!

Kimbot

Hold F8 while booting the computer up and it will go into safe mode!!

Deliverance XXV

AHHHHHHHH!!!
Safe mode provides me with the same password prompt???!!
Tried a heap of options in that list including 'boot with last known good configuration' and 'disk repair' etc but all lead to that password?
Thanks lads

ethernet

The plot thickens. Was looking at the install procedure outlined on the site the OP linked for the PC. The install seems like a normal one.

Kimbot

http://www.rockdirect.com/support/search_more.php?id=503&str=password

Delete the entire partition and the password will be gone with it!! You will then get to start from scratch!!
Make sure you don't do the quick format either do the full one.

Deliverance XXV

Hmmm I have used the XP cd three times since my last post and here is the
basic outline of its procedure.
(Still asking for password btw)

1. Boots CD
2. Loads files
3. 'Formats' partition
4. Restarts
5. Installs windows

No option to select which windows, no activation key prompt, no option to delete partitions etc?

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone got any ideas 'cos this is really fustrating me!

Thanks guys.

Kimbot

the registry isn't being formatted at all then!!
Give me a day or so to find out.
Try get in contact with the original owner of the pc and sse if they have the password in the meantime!

Deliverance XXV

Hey, thanks for your patience!
Problem still persists.
Original owner has moved away AFAIK.
Any help appreciated.
James.

Kimbot

Get an old Windows 98 Boot Disk(Floppy) and do a manual Format when it gets to DOS! It should work then!

Deliverance XXV

Okay I have two problems there,
The lack of a floppy drive and the lack of a boot disc!
Thanks again for your time

ressem

Can you look through the steps at
http://tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm

and confirm that this is the procedure that you are doing through when installing the operating system.

You'll note that on a clean install, you are asked from the administrator password, which you are to use at login time.

Otherwise, can you say where your setup routine diverges from the page shown.

Deliverance XXV

Hey!
I get to the screen (below), after that it just takes over automatically,
no options of partitioning etc?

ressem

Hmm never seen a repair disk with so few options.

Want to try the suggestion here to reset the password during reinstall? Not sure whether it works as I've never tried for myself.
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=305

Deliverance XXV

hey guys, consider it fixed.
Problem was install CD.
I got a loan of a CD of someone near me and was no problem after that at all.
Thanks for your time anyway guys

ethernet

King Nothing wrote:

hey guys, consider it fixed.
Problem was install CD.
I got a loan of a CD of someone near me and was no problem after that at all.
Thanks for your time anyway guys

Great stuff. Odd behaviour. That would have had me pulling hair out.