As of this morning, I've been presented with this error message. STOP: C0000218 Reg. File. Failure. Can not load hive (files). \System Root\System 32\Config\SOFTWARE or it's log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable. I have tried entering Win XP Porf, through SAFE MODE and have been presented with the same error message. I have tried booting off the Win XP Prof CD, looking for the "Repair Feature". I have been able to get as far as the Command prompt where the O/S is asked me what to do. I have accessed HELP and have been presented with a lis to Command Codes with no idea which one to use. I do have a CD with Nortons Systems Works, which has a Reg. Rewrite program on it. I also have a copy of Mircosoft's Regclean on a CD, which can rewrite damaged Win reg. files. Will running any of these two programs solve my problem? Has any one any ideas? Thank You. Chuck Wisher

at this point there are a few causes of this error message...however the most likely cause is a bad hard drive. scan it with something like spinrite or a utility from the manufacture. let me know what the comes up with.

I never used any of the those programs you have mentioned, but if you are able to get into the command prompt using the XP cd, then you can run chkdsk /r. So, when you you get there it will ask whitch windows you would like to reapair, type in the #. If you have one OS you will type 1 and then enter. then it will ask to type the administrator password, type the administrator password and then hit enter. The c:\winnt: command prompt will come up, type in the chkdsk /r and enter. If the system comes up directly to the C:\wint: when you boot from the cd rom, then type chkdsk /r, enter and the repair will start. Another option you have is: Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt 1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt. For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/) A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP 2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials. 3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER: %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe 4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

there is another option - when you boot up from the cd choose the option to install windows not repair then the next option should either a fresh install or a windows recovery - choose the widows recovery - yu might have to re-instll one or two programmds but windows shoukd be ok