 Problem Reformatting Computer, Could Someone Give me Some Help? |
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 Apr 1 2007, 12:05 AM
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#1
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Member  Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832  |
After my virus/spyware infection, I decided to reformat my computer because after the cleaning, my computer seems to be messed up. The virus/spyware is gone but my computer is screwy. So I decided to just pop in my sysytem recovery dics that came with my computer. However, due to the current state of my computer, it would not autorun. So I had to restart my computer. Upon restart, I was prompted to perform this recovery, which I clicked yes. Now the problem is that, I didnt work. Before the process even starts, I am told that the reformat cannot be performed because the file hive "systemroot/system32/config/SECUIRTY" is either missing or corrupt. I have my system CD, what should I do? Thanks! Lawrance |
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Apr 1 2007, 02:52 AM
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#2
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 Bleepin' Cynic  Group: BC Advisor Posts: 10,441 Joined: 11-November 06 Member No.: 94,959 |
It could be that your CD is dirty or damaged. Try cleaning it with a soft cloth.
-------------------- The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who haven't got it.
—George Bernard Shaw |
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Apr 1 2007, 04:15 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
I have checked and cleaned the CD but the problem still exist. When I try to start the recovery, I am told that there is a registery failure and cannot load the hive (file) "Systemroot\system32\config\SECURITY or its log or alternative. It is damaged, corrupt, or absent."
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Apr 1 2007, 04:38 PM
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#4
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
Ok I just tried it again and here is the exact error message I get:
Stop:c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registy cannot load the hive (file) \Systemroot\System32\Config\SECURITY or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not rewritable That is the exact message I get when I try to perform a system reformat. This post has been edited by lawrancec: Apr 1 2007, 05:09 PM |
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Apr 1 2007, 05:10 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 34 Joined: 1-April 07 Member No.: 121,266 |
Lav If the software hive is corrupt, it may be possible to rename the software
hive found in; %windir%\system32\config\software to software.old then copy the most recent backup found in %windir%\repair\regback as %windir%\system32\config\software If that fails you can copy/ use the file %windir%\repair\software This file is an image of the hive at the time the OS was installed, so you'd have to reinstall all software. This being the case you might just as well blow it away and start a new install. (note: this would at least allow you to start the OS to make any necessary backups prior to wiping the drive.) To start the Recovery Console, start the computer from the Windows 2000 Setup CD or the Windows 2000 Setup floppy disks. If you do not have Setup floppy disks and your computer cannot start from the Windows 2000 Setup CD, use another Windows 2000-based computer to create the Setup floppy disks. Press ENTER at the "Setup Notification" screen. Press R to repair a Windows 2000 installation, and then press C to use the Recovery Console. The Recovery Console then prompts you for the administrator password. If you do not have the correct password, Recovery Console does not allow access to the computer. If an incorrect password is entered three times, the Recovery Console quits and restarts the computer. Note If the registry is corrupted or missing or no valid installations are found, the Recovery Console starts in the root of the startup volume without requiring a password. You cannot access any folders, but you can carry out commands such as chkdsk, fixboot, and fixmbr for limited disk repairs. Once the password has been validated, you have full access to the Recovery Console, but limited access to the hard disk. You can only access the following folders on your computer: %systemroot% and %windir% Post back and let us know how it goes. Thank you Jitaa 
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Apr 1 2007, 05:18 PM
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#6
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
Thanks for your reply Jitaa, but it sounds to me that you feel I have a problem with the "Systemroot\system32\config\SOFTWARE" hive, which would prevent my computer from starting up. Instead, my computer can startup and run but the "Systemroot\system32\config\SECUIRTY" is the one that is corrupt. Maybe I am wrong in that fixing the SOFTWARE hive will also fix the SECUIRTY hive? Also, sorry for not saying it directly, but I am running XP Media Center Edition. Lastly, I do have the original system recovery disc that shipped with my computer. The problem is, the error in the SECURITY hive is preventing me from starting the reformat. Everytime I try to reformat the computer with the CD, I get the abovementioned c0000218 error message.
This post has been edited by lawrancec: Apr 1 2007, 05:20 PM |
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Apr 1 2007, 05:35 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 34 Joined: 1-April 07 Member No.: 121,266 |
Why not just do a Repair?
To start the "Reinstalltion Repair" follow below: 1) Boot from CD-ROM Drive (Press any key to boot from CD...) 2) Wait for setup to load files, when the first screen comes up press "ENTER" to continue with setup. 3) Press F8 to continue (EULA Agreement) 4) Now select the installation you wish to do the repair on, usually it will be "C:\WINDOWS "Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" but in your case ti will be different. 5) Press "R" to begin the Repair on this installation. 6) Setup will then check drive c:\ and then delete system files, after this it will then copy the new files and begin setup. 7) During setup you will be prompted to enter certain information. As this is a "Repair" you shouldnt have to enter a product key. 8) After setup is complete, reboot and see how things work. NOTE: After setup is complete you will have to reinstall Service Pack 2 if its installed now, and most important when setup is complete it may ask you to create user accounts, SKIP this step so it will not remove the accounts your currently have When prompted as to if you want to partition DO NOT PRESS ENTER HERE, THIS IS WHERE YOU PRESS R FOR REPAIR OF THIS INSTALLATION, PRESSING ENTER HERE WILL REPLACE YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM AND ALL USER ACCOUNTS Let us know if you have any problems with the repair. Thank you Jitaa |
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Apr 1 2007, 05:42 PM
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#8
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
Thanks =)
But that is the problem, I cannot simply perform a repair/reformat. I wish I could. When I press R to begin the recovery service, I get the stop message c000218 accompanied by the blue screen. And just to let you know, I have a system recovery dics, not a XP dics, but that doesnt matter-just wanted to let you know. Thanks. lawrance |
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Apr 1 2007, 05:49 PM
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#9
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 2,609 Joined: 6-November 05 From: Avondale, Arizona USA Member No.: 39,726 |
What brand and model of computer do you have?
-------------------- The name says it all -- 59 and holding permanently
**WARNING** Links I provide might cause brain damage |
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Apr 1 2007, 05:55 PM
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#10
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
I have a eMachine T6524 running Windows XP Media Center Edition that I bought last year.
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Apr 1 2007, 06:06 PM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 34 Joined: 1-April 07 Member No.: 121,266 |
Yes I know you do not have XP but this article may assist somehow I an still checking on a few things so let me know asap
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545 Thank you Jitaa 
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Apr 1 2007, 06:11 PM
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#12
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Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 2,609 Joined: 6-November 05 From: Avondale, Arizona USA Member No.: 39,726 |
Turn the machine off.
Turn on the computer. Right after the bios splash screen quits you should see a message that says press F11 for system restore. Press the F11 key then this should take you into the recovery program and ask for the Operating system disk. This is the disk that came with the machine, regardless what it says on it. Once you have put this disk in, click ok. FWIW, The application and driver recovery disk(S) is not the same as the OS DISK. -------------------- The name says it all -- 59 and holding permanently
**WARNING** Links I provide might cause brain damage |
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Apr 1 2007, 06:13 PM
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#13
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
Just to let you know, I DO HAVE XP. I have read this article but I am not sure if it applies to me because me computer does start, its just that the system recovery off my system disc DOES NOT. Also, in this article it deals with the hive "Systemroot\system32\config\SOFTWARE." My problem is with "Systemroot\system32\config\SECURITY." However, thanks a lot for all your time, I know I am starting to be annoying. =( Thanks
lawrance This post has been edited by lawrancec: Apr 1 2007, 06:15 PM |
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Apr 1 2007, 06:20 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Banned Posts: 92 Joined: 20-February 07 Member No.: 112,832 |
To oldf@rt’s reply:
I have not tried this yet but when I bought my computer I did not receive the actual windows xp OS disc. Instead, the OS is included, along with all the other original manufacture programs, into the system recovery disc that "restore the computer to original manufacture settings” So would this procedure still work? Please correct me if I am wrong, I am not a pro at computers. Thanks! Lawrance |
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Apr 1 2007, 06:23 PM
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#15
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 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 418 Joined: 30-December 05 From: Rosemount, MINN. Member No.: 47,493 |
Can you go into the repair mode on your recovery CD? If so, I can tell you how to reformat your PC.
-------------------- Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 l McAfee Total Protection l Super AntiSpyware Free Edition l AdAware SE Personal l Spyware Blaster l Spyware Guard l Safe Eyes 2007
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