April 18th, 2008 | 
Author: 
HI BRAD my computer desktop is a dell amd with the Windows XP Pro installed on it and it always works so good except that now i get the following error when i try to run the computer?
“we apologize for the inconvenience, but windows did not start successfully. a recent hardware or software change might have caused this” “If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose Last Known good configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked”
“If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren’t sure what caused the problem, choose start windows Normally”
safe mode
safe mode with networking
safe mode with command Prompt
last known good configuration(your most recent settings that worked
starts windows normallyUse the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice.
but now when i try and select anything no matter what it is on the list that it lets me pick from i get the following error:
[b]“STOP: c0000218
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.
Dumping physical memory to disk:”
then i get a windows count down timer that starts at 99 seconds. then the screen goes black and it all starts all over again the same way each time and i can only stop it from doing this by pulling the plug out from the wall why is it doing this?
TopiCato – Des Moines
RESOLUTION:
Well Topicato, it sounds to me like you have a very frustrating problem. I hope I will be able to assist you.
You will need a Windows CD, preferably the same that you have installed on your system. If you do not have a CD, borrow one from someone, you will not be copying any software onto your computer from it so do not worry about pirating.
You will need to be able to boot from a CD on your system, if it doesn’t already do that, you will need to go into your BIOS and look under a section called “boot” or “boot priority” or something similar. Make sure that your FIRST boot device is CD or CD/DVD or something similar.
Here are the steps for you to follow Topicato, it is very important that you do them precisely the way I have them and in the order listed. good luck!
1. Insert the Windows XP Professional CD into your CD/DVD drive and restart the computer. 
2. Your system may ask you to “strike any key to boot from CD” make sure you do that in time.
3. Once the Win CD has finished loading, it will offer you a setup screen. From this screen you need to select “Run Recovery Console”
4. Now you should be in a DOS like atmosphere: black screen, white letters, etc. you will now need to type the following,
(do not type the [SPACE] or [ENTER], they are there to guide you) (If your Windows drive letter is not C: make corrections)
5. md tmp [ENTER]
6. copy C:\windows\system32\config\system [SPACE]C:\windows\tmp\system.old [ENTER]
7. delete C:\windows\system32\config\system [ENTER]
8. copy C:\windows\repair\system [SPACE] C:\windows\system32\config\system [ENTER]
9. RESTART the computer.
If it still doesn’t boot, or if it has some different error, do the following.
Boot to recovery console again and type the following lines:
1. md tmp[ENTER]
2. copy C:\windows\system32\config\software [SPACE] C:\windows\tmp\software.old[ENTER]
3. delete C:\windows\system32\config\software [ENTER]
4. copy C:\windows\repair\software [SPACE] C:\windows\system32\config\software [ENTER]
Now, with any luck, your computer should be able to boot into Windows. Hope this helped you Topicato. GOOD LUCK!
PROBLEM: Windows will not load due to registry error.
SOLUTION: Use Recovery Console to repair system.
RESPONSE:
okay that did the trick and it all works great now thanks a bunch TopiCato Des Moines, IA
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