PC shuts down loading windows.

I have a problem with a desktop PC shutting down on windows start up.  This started Saturday, 2-16-2013 when windows did an update.  After updating, windows automatically executed a restart.  On restart, after entering my password, the desktop screen displayed for a few seconds and the computer shut down.  I restarted the PC in safe mode and the computer started up.  I then shut down and restarted under normal start up and after entering my password, the desktop screen displayed again and the computer shut down.  I started the computer in safe mode with networking and was able to get signed on and also get on the internet.  Thinking there may have been a problem with the update, I did a restore selecting my last windows update on 1/29/2013.  This didn't do any good.  Under normal start up, the computer shut down after entering my password.  This time it didn't get to the desktop screen.  I signed in under safe mode and selected an earlier date to restore from.  I got the same result.  I then decided to do a recovery from my recovery disks I got when I purchased the PC.  I selected to do a reformat and restore to original factory install after doing a backup to an external drive.  Everything appeared to load properly from the recovery cd's and I got a message to remove the cd and restart.  On restart, I got the windows startup screen where I had to enter a user name, password and password hint.  I did this and got the next screen where I selected a background screen.  The next screen had me choose how I wanted windows to run on startup.  After doing this a got a screen where I selected finish.  The screen cleared, displayed a message that I didn't get to read completely, but was something like windows was checking something, and the the computer shut down.  I tried signing on again in safe mode but got a message that I can not start in safe mode.  Additional attempts to sign on result in the computer shutting down after completing the windows set up steps.  Any ideas would be appreciated.    

What is the make and model of this computer?

It is a Compaq Presario PC

I need the model as well.

It's a model SR5710F with an AMD Athlon X2 4450e Dual Core Processor.

Go to HP Support and scroll down to "Starting the recovery from the recovery discs".  Click on the + to view the instructions.

If this isn't the method that you used I would suggest doing this.

Thanks, I will follow these steps and see what happens.  I will provide an update when finished.

I followed the recovery steps as depicted on HP Support and made it all the way through windows setup.  However when I hit start, the computer again shut down.  I restarted under normal start up and got a blue screen with:

Stop:  C0000218 {Registry file failure|

the registry can not load the HIVE (file)

Systemroot\System32\Config\Software

or its log or alternate

is corrupt  absent or not writable

Collect data for crash dump...

It then went to a screen where I could choose Launch startup repair (recommended)  or start normally.  I selected Launch startup repair and it loaded data and displayed a windows screen where I could select to look at session details that displayed

System Disk = \Detail\Harddisk

Windows Directory = c:\Windows

Autochk Run = 0

Number of Root Causes = 1

Name:  Check for Updates

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  15ms

Name:  System Disk Test

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  0ms

Name:  Disk Failure Diagnosis

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  0ms

Name:  Disk Metadata Test

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  16ms

Name:  Target OS Test

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  218ms

Name:  Volume Content Check

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  453ms

Name:  Boot Manager Diagnosis

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  0ms

Name:  System Boot Log Diagnosis

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  0ms

Name:  Event Log Diagnosis

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  0ms

Name:  Internet State Check

Result:  Successfully Completed error-code = 0X0

Time taken:  15ms

Root Cause Found

Start up Repair was tried several times but still can not determine cause of problem

Let's see if there is a problem with the hdd.

Most hdd manufacturers have a diagnostic test the you can download, burnt to a disc to make a bootable CD.  In order to do this we will need to know the manufacturer of you hdd, this will mean opening the case and pulling it out enough to find this information.  Fortunately HP has a video which shows you how to remove it, you can view it by using this link...  Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive Compaq Presario SR5710F Desktop PC | HP® Support

Post the manufacturer and I will find the download for you.

The recovery disk has hardware diagnostic tools which I ran.  Everything from the CPU to Memory to Hard Drive has passed.  Below are the hard drive results.  Should I still download manufacturers diagnostics?  As you can probably tell it is a Seagate 250 GB hard drive.

Hard Drive Test

Hard Drive:  ST325031 0AS SCSI Disk Device

Hard Drive Test:  Random Seek Test  Passed

Hard Drive Test:  Funnel Seek Test    Passed

Hard Drive Test:  Surface Scan Test   Passed

Hard Drive Test   Surface Scan Test 2  Passed 

I would rather run the manufacturer's diagnostic tool as it is designed for their product.

The HDD is a Seagate 250GB, model number ST325031 0AS SCSI.  I did some searches on Seagate's site but didn't find a diagnostic download.  Any ideas?

SeaTools for DOS | Seagate

Scroll down and click on Accept, instructions will open.

I had to make an unexpected trip to Arizona, so I have been out of town the past two plus weeks.  I loaded SeaTools for DOS and ran a test on my hard drive.  I ran both the short and long tests and both passed.  No bad sectors reported. 

Try using the Last Known Good Configuration.

1)  Go to the Advanced Boot Options (this is where you used Safe Mode).

2)  Click on Last Known Good Configuration.

3)  Press Enter.