Registry error

[MareNostrum]

Well Ill be damned.
I cant reboot my pc

I receive the following error, translated into english:
C0000218, registry file error
registry cant load the following file
\systemroot\system32\config\software

the logbookfile or replacing file of the part, is corrupted, or not present, or not writable


======================

OS Windows XP Professional


1) how can I fix this problem?
rebooting in safe mode no use,
rebooting with last known "working" configuration no use

2) and more importantly,

I have Fat32, or whatever it is.
Anyway, I have a C: and a D: "harddisk"

in the worst case scenario, reinstalling XP,
would I be missing all my valuable files on D:?

[Homi]

PM Darth Wong, I've head him talk about registry alot, maybe he can help you.

[Darth Wong]

A corrupted registry is extremely difficult if not impossible to fix, especially if you can't even boot the OS into safe mode. But the good news is that you can reformat and reinstall Windows on the C: drive without damaging anything on the D: drive, assuming you don't do something dumb during the installation process like telling it to format D:.

I would recommend that you use NTFS if you reformat that drive. NTFS is a more robust filesystem than FAT32, better able to recover from problems.

[MareNostrum]

Hi Darth..

I am currently behind my own pc..

using laptop now..


About reformatting C: and NFTS
how is that done...


Keeping in mind that I want D: to be secure..


Erhmm
I got the CD of XP Pro
know how to go to the recovery console in order to give commands..
and then?

format c:\ ?

little bit confused about the nfts option..
I have formatted and reinstalled Windows on a PC before.
But that was on a PC without partititions, just a single C:\

I just wanna be sure that I will issue the right commands now..
before blowing up D: as well..

[Darth Wong]

Hi Darth..

I am currently behind my own pc..

using laptop of my ister.


About reformatting C: and NFTS
how is that done...


Keeping in mind that I want D: to be secure..


Erhmm
I got the CD of XP Pro
know how to go to the recovery console in order to give commands..
and then?

format c:\ ?

little bit confused about the nfts option..

If you want to reinstall XP, you boot off the CD and follow the onscreen instructions. But it would really be safer if you got somebody who knew what he was doing to help you, because it doesn't sound like you're really savvy with computer operating systems.

[MareNostrum]

alright..well at Windows Xp Install

I can now choose

Install XP on Partition C: or D:
I go for C:

then it gives the following options.

FORMAT PARTITION as NFTS
FORMAT PARTITION as FAT
CONVERT PARTITION to NFTS
APPLY NO CHANGES


can i just go ahead and format partition as NFTS?
or do I needto keep it FAT, perhaps because D: is FAT as well.
not that I know that..or whether that is relevant

but just want to be sure , to avoid future complications.

And guys.
Sorry for going from "reg error" to a "how to format" topic.
Its 01.00 here, and I really need to have access to my D: early in the morning

[Aristocrat]

No you can format as NTFS, and D: will stay as Fat32.

[MareNostrum]

Thanks

will do that right now..

[allthesedamnnamesaretaken]

i had that problem before. it basically means your registry has been corrupted. for me, it was because my hard drive was failing (1 week later it just died - total failure no recovery possible) or it can be due to a virus or your own boneheaded meddling.

if you didn't fiddle around with your registry, i'd bet there is a problem with your hard drive. you may want to consider moving it into a slave drive for storage instead of a boot master

[Virgil]

Sorry this is WAAAAAAAAAAY off topic but, allthesedamnnamesaretaken - how did you post 4 days ahead of today? Its the 23 and your post says the 27th.

[Aristocrat]

For the record it's february, the 2nd month