Corrupted Registry

Question

In the matter of about 8 hours my computer went from fine to not loading up windows.  I've run the full expanded diagnostics, but no help.  The following is what I have been getting:

Stop: COOOO218 {Registry File Failure}

The registry cannot loan the hive(file):

\system root\system32\config\sam

Or its log or alerenate.

It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Error Code: OF00: 02044

Msg:disk_0 – block 20624216 uncorrectable data error or media

is write protected.

Sectors 20264217…..4223

Error code OFOO: 1A44 26967512   thru 7519

Stop C0000102 {corrupt file}

The file or directory X:\windows\system32\en-us  is corrupt and unreadable.

Now I am also getting the following:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

Page_Fault_In_Nonpaged_Area

Technical information

Stop: 0X00000050 (0x8fd96000, 0X00000000, 0X81192E21, 0X00000000

Answer 1

If you can't get into safe mode (you get the same errors) and the system doesn't have a system restore option from the recovery menu, then proceed as follows:

Do you know when this problem began?  Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk or a Recovery Disk.  Here's the procedure: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/.  Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points.  If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two.  NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence.  To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup.  Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit.  Put the CD in the drive and reboot.  When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk.  Here's the procedure: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html. 

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD {you'll obviously need to do this on another computer).

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking - or use the Command Prompt on the disk).  Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (skip this step if using the disk).

Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run.  It will scan and try to fix some of your system files.  Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228.  Try to identify the corrupted files causing the problem.

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run.  It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a cause.

If that doesn't work, then please post any repeating error messages from the Event Viewer concerning startup (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer - if using Command Prompt type eventvwr and enter)..  Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic40108.html.

If that doesn't work, then I'm aftraid the only option is a clean install.  You can use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD.  This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data.  Once done, you can do a clean install either using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk or the Recovery Disk with the Recovery Partition (whatever process is dictated by your computer manufacturer).  To do a clean install proceed as follows: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista\_install\_03.asp (adapted as necessary by the procedures of your computer manufacturer).  Then you will need to re-install all your programs, reset all your preferences, reconfigure your network and email settings, restore your backed up data, run Windows Update with possibly nearly 100 updates pending,...

I certainly hope one of the earlier recommendations works because a clean install is a time-consuming process and sometimes you aren't able to bring the system back into its former shape because you may have lost some programs or for other reasons.  But it will almost certainly fix the main problem.

Good luck.

---

Lorien - One - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+

Answer 2

Hi mugsy101,

Welcome to Microsoft answers forum!

Did you make changes to the computer prior to this issue?

Step 1: Disconnect all the external devices, mainly USB devices except for the basic devices like mouse and the keyboard.

Step 2: Boot the computer in safe mode:

 To use a Safe Boot option, follow these steps:

a. Restart your computer and start pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. On a computer that is configured for booting to multiple operating systems, you can press the F8 key when the Boot Menu appears.

b. Select an option when the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then press ENTER.

c. When the Boot menu appears again, and the words "Safe Mode" appear at the bottom, select the installation that you want to start, and then press ENTER.

Also, check with the other modes under Windows Advanced Options menu (try last known good configuration, safe mode with command……)

Note: If the problem continues after you start the computer in safe mode, there is a problem with faulty hardware \ with a driver that is installed\ an operating system component

If the computer boots in safe mode, try the following steps else, go to step 3.

Step 3: Startup repair and system restore from the windows vista DVD:

a.Startup repair: - Startup Repair is a Windows Vista recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.

Note: Do not use any recovery DVD’s from computer manufactures

**** Startup repair:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Startup-Repair-frequently-asked-questions

b. System restore: Put the computer to an earlier point in time when the computer was working fine.

1.    Insert the installation disc.

2.    Restart your computer.

Click the Start button , click the arrow next to the Lock button , and then click Restart.

3.    If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.

4.    Choose your language settings, and then click next.

5.    Click Repair your computer.

6. Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click next.
7. On the System Recovery Options menu, click system restore and follow the instructions.

System restore using inbuilt system recovery option:

**System restore:**Put the computer to an earlier point in time, when everything was working fine. If system restore is a preinstalled recovery option on your computer:

Restart the computer manually.

1.    Do one of the following:

o    If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.

o    If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.

2.    On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer**,**and then press ENTER. (If Repair your computer is not listed as an option, then your computer does not include system restore as a preinstalled recovery option.)

3.    Select a keyboard layout, and then click next. 

4.    Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.

**5.**On the System Recovery Options menu, click system restore. Put the computer to an earlier point in time, when everything was working fine.

If you are able to boot in any of the mode then to run a virus scan .

Step 4: Run an online scan for any threat and try to fix them

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-Us/center/cleanup.htm

Also, please check the link below

Error message when you start a Windows 7 or Windows Vista-based computer after you change the SATA mode of the boot drive: "STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

If the issue still persists, a custom installation may be required, where in DATA would be backed up in a folder called “windows. Old” but applications and drivers have to be re-installed.

Thanks and Regards:

Ajay K

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer 

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