registry file failure

[ekke85]

Hi
I have a Compaq Armada E500 notebook. When I turn it on it start loading XP Pro and then give me the blue screen of death. One of my RAM chips have had it. When I remove it it just boot to the XP boot screen and restart. I do not know where my recovery disk is, is there anything els I can do not to loose all my data? Please help!

 

[bcastner]

You likely are too limited with the "System Recovery" Cd provided with your system.

You will need to use the floppy diskette image maker from Microsoft to enter the Recovery Console:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp&NoWebContent=1

Prior to doing this, put back or replace the faulty RAM module. On many motherboards you cannot just pull 1 set and expect it to work. You could experiment with moving the "good" module to where the removed "bad" module was and testing again. If your slots support seperate RAM modules they still may complain if bank 0 is unpopulated.

 

[linney]

Some OEM's didn't even supply any CD's they made use of a Recovery Partition. You could check that with Compac, and ask about a duplicate Recovery CD while your there.

Did you try Safe Mode to see if that is still accessible? If it was you could try loading the "Last Known Good Configuration" option.

These might come in handy if fixing the RAM doesn't work.

Assuming you get the Recovery Console loaded, try this routine to recover from a corrupt registry.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

http://www.mediaworkstation.com/htm/homeset1.htm

Click on Tutorial then the Charlie White article on XP crash.
This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.