Laptop won't start up

[Uinneag]

This comes up on the screen

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 advisor or technical support group for further assistance.

All my businees accounts are in the feckin thing

 

[Aidan1150]

If you can get it started in "safe mode" you might be able to do a system restore to see if that cures it. I think pressing F2 or F8 on startup, depending on your machine, will start it in safe mode. Has to be worth a try.

 

[Uinneag]

Just tried that Aidan
Got this

STOP: c0000218 Unknown Hard Error
Unknown Hard Error
Beginning dump of physical memory

 

[Aidan1150]

I Googled your error message and it doesn't look good for you Johnny if you can't get her started in "safe mode" or "last good configuration".

Link.

 

[Clive]

All my businees accounts are in the feckin thing

Would you know if it runs a SATA hard-drive.
If not what is the Laptop Make/Model?

I.e. there are cheap SATA drive -> USB gizmos available so you could whip the drive out into the gizmo and attach to another machine and hopefully find your files.

If not SATA there might be PATA gizmos available also.

 

[Uinneag]

Would you know if it runs a SATA hard-drive.
If not what is the Laptop Make/Model?

I.e. there are cheap SATA drive -> USB gizmos available so you could whip the drive out into the gizmo and attach to another machine and hopefully find your files.

If not SATA there might be PATA gizmos available also.

Dell inspiron 630M
Is as much as I know

 

[neil 23]

Buy a new one as you have just come into money !

 

[Clive]

Dell inspiron 630M
Is as much as I know

Can't find much info on Dell website. This mentions WD400VE and this says EIDE.
I'd get the drive out and find a gizmo that will allow it to be read as a USB drive and pull off all your files onto another machine in case the drive goes seriously tits-up.

 

[roddy]

Johnny this link maybe of help

http://search.euro.dell.com/results...ra=False&~srd=False&ipsys=False&advsrch=False

it's Dells own on-line support which I've used in the past and found to be pretty good

 

[Blackal]

Clive's advice is spot-on

Don't keep flashing up the laptop - hoping "the computer fairies" might have fixed it.................

Remove the drive, find out what kind of drive it is - and order up a caddy to see if the files are recoverable.

If successful - you know what to do next time................

Al

 

[exeter_lad]

Have you tried booting from the Original XP (or Vista?) CD/DVD? As in:

Step 2: Use the recovery console to confirm that the hard disk or file system Is not damaged
Important We recommend that only advanced users or administrators use the Recovery Console.

Note Only the Administrator account can access the Recovery Console.
Start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive. If prompted, select any options that you must select to start from the CD drive.

Note To start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive, your CD drive or DVD drive must be configured to do this. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.
When you are prompted to select Repair or Recover, press R. This starts the Microsoft Recovery Console.

Note You may have to enter the number to specify the Windows XP installation in the hard disk.
When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the Administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
Use the chkdsk command-line tool to examine the hard disks. At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.
Read the results, and then take any steps that you must take to complete the process. For example, you may be prompted to run chkdsk /f to fix certain problems.
Restart the computer, and then try to run Setup again.


Back to the top
Step 3: Replace the hard disk
If the hard disk is damaged and cannot be repaired, you may have to replace it. Contact your computer manufacturer, the retailer where you bought your computer, or a qualified repair technician for information about how to replace the hard disk.
For more information about how to use the chkdsk command-line command to check and repair a damaged hard disk, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307654 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/ ) How to install and use the recovery console in Windows XP
314058 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058/ ) Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
313348 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/ ) How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

 

[(RIP) ugg]

Wen my base station pc went tits up on a systems restore..my windows was corrupted. n wudnt start up.

I took it to my IT blokes and they copied everything from my hard drive to a disc. via a linky thing tool???

i just bunged the disc in me new laptop and had all me stuff uploaded to me documents. Also i have a copy back up if it goes tits up again



ugg

 

[Dickieboy]

If it's a Dell have you got the original installation disc(s), if you have boot up and reinstall windows.