OK.. I need help from anyone who understands computers...

Question

So... I am on my work computer now, but my home computer (which is only 1 1/2 years old) won&#x27;t boot up.... it looks as though Windows is starting and then I get a blue screen that says:&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;STOP: C0000218 {RegistryFileFailure}&#xD;&#xA;The Registry cannot load the hive (file):&#xD;&#xA;/ systemroot / system32 / config / SAM&#xD;&#xA;or its log or alternative&#xD;&#xA;It is corrupt, absent, or not writable&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Anyone have any clue how messed up my computer is?&#xD;&#xA;Also, I was thinking about taking it into The Geek Squad or something... anyone had any experience with them... good? bad?&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Any and all advice MUCH appreciated!!!&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Thanks

paranoisense · Answer

So... I am on my work computer now, but my home computer (which is only 1 1/2 years old) won&#x27;t boot up.... it looks as though Windows is starting and then I get a blue screen that says:&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;STOP: C0000218 {RegistryFileFailure}&#xD;&#xA;The Registry cannot load the hive (file):&#xD;&#xA;/ systemroot / system32 / config / SAM&#xD;&#xA;or its log or alternative&#xD;&#xA;It is corrupt, absent, or not writable&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Anyone have any clue how messed up my computer is?&#xD;&#xA;Also, I was thinking about taking it into The Geek Squad or something... anyone had any experience with them... good? bad?&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Any and all advice MUCH appreciated!!!&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Thanks

jackjaffee · Answer

Have you tried doing a System Restore yet?  Go into Safe Mode and if you have System Restore on, you should be able to go back to a point before the corruption of the registry.

KQC · Answer

or try booting from the windows cd and try the repair

Lippsman · Answer

Yes, repair is the way to go.  Registry hive problems are a bit dicey.

paranoisense · Answer

[Quote: Originally Posted by jackjaffee] &#xD;&#xA;Have you tried doing a System Restore yet?  Go into Safe Mode and if you have System Restore on, you should be able to go back to a point before the corruption of the registry.&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;[/Quote]&#xD;&#xA;Thanks, but it won&#x27;t even let me get there in safe mode... when it gave me that option, I tried, but it gave me the same screen....

paranoisense · Answer

[Quote: Originally Posted by Lippsman] &#xD;&#xA;Yes, repair is the way to go.  Registry hive problems are a bit dicey.&#xD;&#xA;[/Quote]&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;Thanks KQC and Lippsman...&#xD;&#xA;I will try that when I get home.... so, I just put in the windows disk and restart the computer? Will it then give me the option to repair... &#xD;&#xA;sorry, but I have never done this before

KQC · Answer

yeah, when you have the cd in while the pc is starting up, it should recognize it and ask if you want to boot from cd-rom. from there iirc, it'll give you a few options.

do you remember what you were last doing/latest pc activity prior to receiving this error?

paranoisense · Answer

nothing really different than usual... just checking email and on covers... I shut the computer down and then when I tried to turn it on a few hours later, this happened...

jackjaffee · Answer

try this page:&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;https://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_stop.htm&#xD;&#xA; &#xD;&#xA;The guy basically copied the MS Support article for Step 3, so if you want to get the real article go to the MS site and do a search on the stop error.

OK.. I need help from anyone who understands computers...

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