Windows XP Registry Error = No Windows Startup

[NickPr]

Hi everyone.

I having a little problem with loading Windows XP Pro. When Windows is loading up, and gets to the XP "Welcome" screen, it shows a popup message box:

"Windows Registry Recovery - One of the files containing the system's registry data had to tbe recovered by use of a log or alternate copy. The recovery was successful."

It then prompts to press the "Ok" button. After pressing ok, the message pops up again, and continues to pop up indefinitely...and Windows never loads up.

Now, I've tried rebooting, and using both Win98 and WinME disks so that I could run some diagnostic programs to maybe repair whatever's been damaged, from DOS. Or even possibly re-install Windows from DOS.

But, these bootup disk operating systems can't even detect the C: drive, claiming that the FAT32 partition has been damaged or is missing, or that the file system on the partition isn't FAT32. I know for a fact that it is.

So I just don't know what else to do. What do you guys think of this? A virus? Is the data on the HD lost? What other options do I have here?

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

[Budfred]

It is hard to tell without more info. Is there some reason that you think it might be a virus?

What I would try first is to put in the WinXP CD and boot the computer. When it asks if you want to Install say yes, but don't go with Install on the next screen. There should be an option to run Repair and you can try that.

Also, are you sure it is not formatted NTFS rather than FAT32?

[NickPr]

Ok, I just tried booting the computer with the Win XP CD in the drive, and set my BIOS to boot from it... it loads Windows normally, and gives the same exact message...I can't get into Windows itself, therefore I can't get to the point where it can ask me if I want to repair it.

And yes, I'm positive that the file system is FAT32. I remember selecting that option when installing Windows on this particular PC.

As far as viruses go, I can't think of any specific reason(such as suspicious files, etc) that I could have one...I thought maybe that someone might recognize these symptoms as being the result of a particular one.

[NickPr]

Ok, I just tried booting the computer with the Win XP CD in the drive, and set my BIOS to boot from it... it loads Windows normally, and gives the same exact message...I can't get into Windows itself, therefore I can't get to the point where it can ask me if I want to repair it.

And yes, I'm positive that the file system is FAT32. I remember selecting that option when installing Windows on this particular PC.

As far as viruses go, I can't think of any specific reason(such as suspicious files, etc) that I could have one...I thought maybe that someone might recognize these symptoms as being the result of a particular one.

Thanks. :)

[Budfred]

If you are using Repair, you don't actually boot into Windoze, you begin the Install and select the Repair option. If you somehow bypass that, you have gone too far. This is a function in WinXP that runs from the CD disk.

If this doesn't work, it would be helpful if you provide more info. Is this a new computer and a clean install or are you trying to do an upgrade install? Did you reformat the hard drive before starting if it is an upgrade? What are your specs?

[NickPr]

Hmmm...when I'd used my Win XP CD as a boot disk, it didn't go to any install screen, nor did it prompt me for anything, it went directly to starting up windows. I'll try again, perhaps it didn't boot from the CD correctly.

My system is a custom-made computer:

AMD Duron 1.2 GHz Processor
256 MB RAM
40.0 GB HD
36x CD-ROM
Video, sound, and LAN are integrated into the motherboard, which is SOYO brand, and is fairly new.

And Windows XP has been installed on the HD for about 3 months now with no problems, and this problem that I'd spoke of above just seemed to happen out of nowhere. The HD has been reformatted a few times before this though.

I'm basically trying to figure out a way to reinstall windows to fix the registry error, if that's possible, without reformatting the HD, and losing the data on it. But of course, I can't seem to be able to do this (reinstalling in DOS mode) because my partition isn't recognized by DOS.

[Budfred]

It sounds like your BIOS isn't set up to boot from the CD before the hard drive and it is just booting to the hard drive. It is supposed to stop at the CD and ask if you want to install if it is going to the CD. The Repair from the CD is your best bet for fixing WinXP without having to start over.