System registry repair stuck in loop

[lbrusso]

Built a no frills machine for my son, and it was up and stable for two weeks prior to shipping. He got a self install cd from his ISP, that crashed during install. When he re-booted windows gave him the warning that it had found a problem with the system registry and was going to repair it. He pressed enter to re-start, and after the system BIOS does it's thing, win gives him the same error msg that it has found a problem with the system registry and will repair it. This cintinues in an endless loop, even if the machine is completely powered down and restarted.
I would be most greatful for anyone who could help me out of this pickle.
Very best regards
Larry Brusso
lbrusso@comcast.net

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Is reformatting and reinstalling an option? I ask because you say it is nearly new. If the disk does it a second time, I would contact the ISP to send another that they have tested for defects AND compatability.

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"One disadvantage of staying sober is that you know exactly how you feel."

Hawkeye, M.A.S.H 4077

[ski]

If the system uses Win 98, then press and hold the Ctrl key during startup, select 'Command Prompt' from the menu, press Enter, type scanreg/restore, select a registry with a date prior to the problem occurring, press Enter.
If it uses a later Win O/S, then try the restore CD.

[classicsoftware]

If the scanreg/restore won't work is not an option.

Boot to an a: prompt

Check to see if there are Cab files on your hard drive
Usually in Windows/Options/Cabs
If they are,
Get the Windows 9X validation that appears on the certificate of authenticity
navigate to that filder and type setup and press enter

The system will basically install in place. You get all windows files including the registry files that are corrupt. You will not loose any files as you may if you use the restore CD option which may wipe out your hard drive..