The registry cannot load the hive
Solved
Itznogood
-
Jonas Blane -
Jonas Blane -
Hello,
I am unable to restart the computer running Windows XP Home.
When I start it up, Windows initializes as usual, but a blue screen appears saying:
The registry cannot load the hive (file) \systemroot\system32\config\sam or its log or its copy, it is corrupted, missing, Physical memory dump to the hard drive!
Does anyone have an idea to help me? Thanks in advance!
Itznogood
I am unable to restart the computer running Windows XP Home.
When I start it up, Windows initializes as usual, but a blue screen appears saying:
The registry cannot load the hive (file) \systemroot\system32\config\sam or its log or its copy, it is corrupted, missing, Physical memory dump to the hard drive!
Does anyone have an idea to help me? Thanks in advance!
Itznogood
Configuration: Windows XP Internet Explorer 7.0
21 réponses
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Suivant
Actually, thanks Bitrate and Pear, you put me on the right track. I managed to find a restore point in the folder c:\system volume information (system restore) and copy the missing elements.
"Make sure the Boot options are properly set to boot from the CD drive first in your BIOS
- Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive, then restart the computer
Select the required options to boot the computer from the CD-ROM drive when prompted.
- When the welcome screen of the installer appears, press the R key to start the recovery console.
Type your Administrator password if you have one, otherwise, leave it blank and click ENTER.
When the prompt for %SystemRoot% (usually C:\Windows) appears, you can start typing the appropriate commands to diagnose and repair your installation.
Windows will ask you which system to boot.
Usually, you type 1 to access the prompt C:\Windows>
Type these commands:
cd \
cd "System Volume Information"
dir
You will see different directories that represent each available restore point.
Let's say it's this one: _restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}.
Enter these commands:
cd _restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}
dir
Again, different directories named RP followed by a number will be visible.
Choose the directory with the highest number. This is also the one that stores the most recent restore point. In our example, we will take the directory RP45.
Then type:
cd RP45
cd snapshot
The prompt will then display: C:\System Volume Information\_restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}\RP45\snapshot.
dir
Note that if the directories cd _restore{CLSID} or RPx are empty, go up one level by typing the command cd .. and then explore the previous RPx directory.
The main hive files will be listed:
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
If your boot problem was caused by a program installation, copy the SOFTWARE hive.
If your issue was caused by a device installation, copy the SYSTEM hive.
Regarding a problem with user accounts, proceed to copy the SAM and SECURITY hives.
For example, enter these commands:
copy _registry_machine_sam \windows\system32\config\sam
copy _registry_machine_security \windows\system32\config\security
Press O each time to confirm the file replacement.
Restart your computer normally...
There you go, 40 minutes later everything was working again! Thank you!
Itznogood
"Make sure the Boot options are properly set to boot from the CD drive first in your BIOS
- Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD drive, then restart the computer
Select the required options to boot the computer from the CD-ROM drive when prompted.
- When the welcome screen of the installer appears, press the R key to start the recovery console.
Type your Administrator password if you have one, otherwise, leave it blank and click ENTER.
When the prompt for %SystemRoot% (usually C:\Windows) appears, you can start typing the appropriate commands to diagnose and repair your installation.
Windows will ask you which system to boot.
Usually, you type 1 to access the prompt C:\Windows>
Type these commands:
cd \
cd "System Volume Information"
dir
You will see different directories that represent each available restore point.
Let's say it's this one: _restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}.
Enter these commands:
cd _restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}
dir
Again, different directories named RP followed by a number will be visible.
Choose the directory with the highest number. This is also the one that stores the most recent restore point. In our example, we will take the directory RP45.
Then type:
cd RP45
cd snapshot
The prompt will then display: C:\System Volume Information\_restore{1960E6A0-C4CF-4F8D-A049-2E56255E51C0}\RP45\snapshot.
dir
Note that if the directories cd _restore{CLSID} or RPx are empty, go up one level by typing the command cd .. and then explore the previous RPx directory.
The main hive files will be listed:
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
If your boot problem was caused by a program installation, copy the SOFTWARE hive.
If your issue was caused by a device installation, copy the SYSTEM hive.
Regarding a problem with user accounts, proceed to copy the SAM and SECURITY hives.
For example, enter these commands:
copy _registry_machine_sam \windows\system32\config\sam
copy _registry_machine_security \windows\system32\config\security
Press O each time to confirm the file replacement.
Restart your computer normally...
There you go, 40 minutes later everything was working again! Thank you!
Itznogood
Ouch, that's not good...
If a registry file is missing, Windows can't start (even in safe mode).
Fortunately, SAM is not a registry that changes much.
The registry files are stored in the folder c:\windows\system32\config\
You can replace the file with a copy found here: c:\windows\repair\
Or, more complicated, in the folder c:\system volume information (system restore)
For that, the best thing is to take a Linux distro that gives access to Windows files (like Ubuntu)
Or install a new Windows on a new partition.
Good luck!
If a registry file is missing, Windows can't start (even in safe mode).
Fortunately, SAM is not a registry that changes much.
The registry files are stored in the folder c:\windows\system32\config\
You can replace the file with a copy found here: c:\windows\repair\
Or, more complicated, in the folder c:\system volume information (system restore)
For that, the best thing is to take a Linux distro that gives access to Windows files (like Ubuntu)
Or install a new Windows on a new partition.
Good luck!
Hi, thanks for your response
Indeed, Windows doesn't boot in safe mode, I also tried with the recovery console but that failed too
You tell me - the registry files are stored in the folder c:\windows\system32\config\
you can replace the file with a copy from there: c:\windows\repair\
or more complicated in the folder c:\system volume information (system restore)
how can I do that? I'm a total novice in front of a black screen! lol! thanks again!
Indeed, Windows doesn't boot in safe mode, I also tried with the recovery console but that failed too
You tell me - the registry files are stored in the folder c:\windows\system32\config\
you can replace the file with a copy from there: c:\windows\repair\
or more complicated in the folder c:\system volume information (system restore)
how can I do that? I'm a total novice in front of a black screen! lol! thanks again!
Hello,
The problem is that when I insert the Windows XP CD and restart the computer, the installation program does not prompt me to repair the existing version of Windows (it does not show me the option: R), but it directly asks me to select the partition where I need to install the new XP, meaning it does not detect the existing version. Is there a solution, please? Thank you for your replies.
The problem is that when I insert the Windows XP CD and restart the computer, the installation program does not prompt me to repair the existing version of Windows (it does not show me the option: R), but it directly asks me to select the partition where I need to install the new XP, meaning it does not detect the existing version. Is there a solution, please? Thank you for your replies.
Hello everyone.
Still no success with my computer, I've tried almost everything that was suggested but I still get the same message. Thanks again!
Itznogood
Still no success with my computer, I've tried almost everything that was suggested but I still get the same message. Thanks again!
Itznogood
Too good the explanations thank you so much you saved me Iznogood, I hadn't backed up important files for my work and thanks to you I was able to restart Windows.
Iznogood YOU ARE AWESOME !!!
Microsoft provides a procedure to do the same by tampering with \windows\system32\config. For me, I had a blockage on the software file. Impossible to move it.
This procedure works and reminds me that you should always work on a computer as if it were going to crash in the next 30 seconds!!!
So making backups is essential.
Thanks again for this awesome tip.
Microsoft provides a procedure to do the same by tampering with \windows\system32\config. For me, I had a blockage on the software file. Impossible to move it.
This procedure works and reminds me that you should always work on a computer as if it were going to crash in the next 30 seconds!!!
So making backups is essential.
Thanks again for this awesome tip.
Happy to have helped you, Arthur, and what you say is absolutely true: with a computer, anything can happen in the seconds that follow! You always have to stay alert and do systematic cleanups more than regularly! lol
I confirm. Clear and concise explanation, works great, thank you.
For your information, all my RPs were at 0 but I took the last one and it's all good
Thank you very much
For your information, all my RPs were at 0 but I took the last one and it's all good
Thank you very much
Hello,
thank you itznogood! Indeed, that’s the solution found on the web and it seems to work well!
However, I have the same issue as Anis above: my WinXP CD goes directly to the partition selection for installing Windows, without offering the recovery console. Yet, you indeed need to use this CD if you want to move/replace the 5 files (SAM, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM, and SECURITY), because if you use the recovery console installed on the PC, there is usually a restriction on copying (and even more so on deleting) any of these: SAM in my case and in that of a guy on an English forum (here: https://www.ozzu.com/mswindows-forum/registry-file-failure-system32-config-sam-t83329.html), SOFTWARE in the case of Arthur on that forum two years ago...
Thank you in advance for your informed and enlightening answers for novices like us...
Oliver
thank you itznogood! Indeed, that’s the solution found on the web and it seems to work well!
However, I have the same issue as Anis above: my WinXP CD goes directly to the partition selection for installing Windows, without offering the recovery console. Yet, you indeed need to use this CD if you want to move/replace the 5 files (SAM, SOFTWARE, DEFAULT, SYSTEM, and SECURITY), because if you use the recovery console installed on the PC, there is usually a restriction on copying (and even more so on deleting) any of these: SAM in my case and in that of a guy on an English forum (here: https://www.ozzu.com/mswindows-forum/registry-file-failure-system32-config-sam-t83329.html), SOFTWARE in the case of Arthur on that forum two years ago...
Thank you in advance for your informed and enlightening answers for novices like us...
Oliver
I would like to thank you for the great tutorial because my computer is running perfectly again!!! A big thank you!!
Hello everyone,
I have the same problem: "the registry cannot load the hive 'file'...
....\Software
I am on XP, I have already performed several chkdsk /r which takes a few hours, but temporarily fixes the problem at least, my PC works for a few days and then crashes again with the same message.
I formatted my hard drive and reinstalled XP "thinking I had deleted a bad file with a 'cleaner' program, but it started again.
Today, I lean towards a hardware issue, hard drive specifically.
RAM can also cause this kind of "bug", but I have already done the tests...
Any opinion or guidance before I decide to buy a new hard drive?
(a bit annoying to spend blindly...) :)
I noted a message at the startup of Windows: Bvibjer.dll specified module could not be found.
I can't find any information regarding this dll, if anyone has heard about this problem.
Thank you for your help,
Have a good day.
I have the same problem: "the registry cannot load the hive 'file'...
....\Software
I am on XP, I have already performed several chkdsk /r which takes a few hours, but temporarily fixes the problem at least, my PC works for a few days and then crashes again with the same message.
I formatted my hard drive and reinstalled XP "thinking I had deleted a bad file with a 'cleaner' program, but it started again.
Today, I lean towards a hardware issue, hard drive specifically.
RAM can also cause this kind of "bug", but I have already done the tests...
Any opinion or guidance before I decide to buy a new hard drive?
(a bit annoying to spend blindly...) :)
I noted a message at the startup of Windows: Bvibjer.dll specified module could not be found.
I can't find any information regarding this dll, if anyone has heard about this problem.
Thank you for your help,
Have a good day.
Topic revival.
For my part: Win XP SP3 on ASUS laptop
Error message with our lovely blue screen at every boot attempt:
"the Registry cannot load the hive"
Attempt to restore via the XP cd but unsuccessful, unable to read the cd (having taken care to modify the bios to boot from this last one first and with an original cd)
Solution:
I downloaded the recovery console here http://oxygenepc.com/ressources/softs/cdr.zip
Burned it onto a cd (It's an iso, just launch the burn)
then boot from this new cd
and follow the Microsoft description
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en
"Recover a damaged Registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
In the first part, you start the recovery console, create a temporary folder, back up the existing Registry files to a new location, delete the Registry files from their existing location, and then copy the Registry files from the repair folder to the System32\Config folder. When you finish this procedure, a Registry is created that you can use to start Windows XP. This Registry was created and recorded during the initial installation of Windows XP. Therefore, any changes and settings made after running the installer are lost.
To perform the first part, proceed as follows:
Insert the Windows XP boot disk into the floppy drive or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
Click to select all the required options to boot the computer from the CD-ROM if prompted to do so.
When the "Welcome" screen appears, press R to start the recovery console.
If you have a dual-boot or multi-boot computer, select the installation you want to access from the recovery console.
When prompted, type the administrator password. If the administrator password is empty, just press ENTER.
At the command prompt of the recovery console, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after typing each line:
md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak
delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default
Type exit to quit the recovery console. Your computer will reboot."
Thanks to everyone for your valuable help hoping this little note can in turn be useful to others...
For my part: Win XP SP3 on ASUS laptop
Error message with our lovely blue screen at every boot attempt:
"the Registry cannot load the hive"
Attempt to restore via the XP cd but unsuccessful, unable to read the cd (having taken care to modify the bios to boot from this last one first and with an original cd)
Solution:
I downloaded the recovery console here http://oxygenepc.com/ressources/softs/cdr.zip
Burned it onto a cd (It's an iso, just launch the burn)
then boot from this new cd
and follow the Microsoft description
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en
"Recover a damaged Registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
In the first part, you start the recovery console, create a temporary folder, back up the existing Registry files to a new location, delete the Registry files from their existing location, and then copy the Registry files from the repair folder to the System32\Config folder. When you finish this procedure, a Registry is created that you can use to start Windows XP. This Registry was created and recorded during the initial installation of Windows XP. Therefore, any changes and settings made after running the installer are lost.
To perform the first part, proceed as follows:
Insert the Windows XP boot disk into the floppy drive or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
Click to select all the required options to boot the computer from the CD-ROM if prompted to do so.
When the "Welcome" screen appears, press R to start the recovery console.
If you have a dual-boot or multi-boot computer, select the installation you want to access from the recovery console.
When prompted, type the administrator password. If the administrator password is empty, just press ENTER.
At the command prompt of the recovery console, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after typing each line:
md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak
delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default
Type exit to quit the recovery console. Your computer will reboot."
Thanks to everyone for your valuable help hoping this little note can in turn be useful to others...
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Suivant
Do we know the causes of this problem?