I have a weird problem with Win2k that came up after running Microsoft RegCleaner in automatic mode. On startup, I get two messages in the event log: Event Type: Error Event Source: Userenv Event Category: None Event ID: 1000 Date: 18.02.2006 Time: 20:17:57 User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Computer: MYDDRIVEDIED Description: RegLoadKey failed. Return value Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. for C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows\\UsrClass.dat. Event Type: Error Event Source: Userenv Event Category: None Event ID: 1000 Date: 18.02.2006 Time: 20:17:57 User: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Computer: MYDDRIVEDIED Description: Windows cannot load the user's profile but has logged you on with the default profile for the system. DETAIL - Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service. Then there are several problems. First of all sound doesn't work even though driver is there. Trying to reinstall the driver gives me "Installation failed" (ASUS driver thingie didn't give any elaborate error messages), even though the sound does work before WIndows boots (e.g. when I boot mobo notifies me of the memory test result via soundcard-powered voice). Then, trying to bring up "New..." menu in a context menu on the desktop or anywhere else makes explorer.exe proccess eat CPU whole and freeze forever. If I kill the proccess and resart it everything is back to normal. What Explorer does all that time (well what I've spotted) is opens and lcoses the handle to HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\Explorer\Discardable\PostSetup\ShellNew registry key which apparently doesn't seem to exist. Then, nothing starts up. I have a whole bunch of programs like firewall and some fancy clock and eMule etc in registry-based startup and they are there, Starter utility sees them, the only problem is that they won't actually start when I boot. Services that start independent of the logon like SQL Server, IIS etc do start. Is there any way to fix this problem? Apart from reinstalling, cause re-setting up this machine will be great PITA?

Probably a repair installation would be a path to start with??? Boot with the CD or the 4 floppies + CD and choose to repair the current installation; do NOT involve the recovery console... slightly more details at: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/windows2000/Repair/

that didn't help :(

By chance did you backup the registry before the earlier cleanout routine? If so then perhaps a restore of the backup may resolve it... Usually very wise to backup registry before doing "anything" to/with it..." Failing the above... try a parallel installation - to same location etc. Do this from a CD boot etc... At the least - if it goes in OK, you can then build this upto previous OS level (apps/utils etc.) and then dump original version?

Perhaps your first action should be to reapply your latest service pack, which the repair reinstall will have undone. The repair hasn't helped as you have a profile/registry problem, and not a boot or stablility issue. You'll need to reapply key Windows updates too, but this can wait. Your autorun apps aren't starting because Windows is dropping back to the default profile, as it says in the event log. Assuming you still have administrator priviledges, set up a new administrator-level user profile, and log on with this. There's still a lot of work ahead bringing this profile up to scratch, but it's a great deal less than a full reinstall of W2K. Data like My Documents and mail files will still be stored in your old profile folders, and can be copied (NOT moved - keep the old profile as backup until you're sure everything's OK) to the new profile. If you need help with this, post back. I've just gone through all this and more myself, as a result of an un-bootable W2K installation, giving a BSOD even in safe mode. Don't believe that an "in-place" reinstall (to the same Windows folder) will "keep all your existing software" - it won't delete it, but complex apps like MS Office will need a complete reinstall. In an "in place" install, the entire contents of the Windows folder are deleted, so registry and application DLLs are lost. Good luck, and I hope you come out of this a wiser (have you dumped the registry cleaner?) and more competent individual.