So I get the following error message... This is in a DELL Dimension 8400 WindowsXP installation that I've been given to repair. I tried the recovery console with chkdsk /r and also chkdsk /p with no effect. Also replaced the system files in use with replacements from the repair folder to no avail. Any suggestions?
Sounds like a corrupted registry hive. I've gotten quite good at repairing these - you need to slave the drive onto another PC or (preferably) use a linux liveCD otherwise you may run into issues with permissions on the System Volume information folder. This might help - http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=307545
Cheers, I shall try that out! I already tried that Microsoft support page badders but no joy I'm afraid, thanks for the link though.
Definitely a corrupt registry, so sfc /scannow will not fix it, nor will chkdsk as it's not a filesystem issue. If you can get into Safe Mode, you can do a System Restore to get you back to a stable point. If not, you can use the link that Badders posted when booted into a Linux LiveCD to manually restore to a previous registry backup. You will also need to do a full, proper System Restore to make sure that everything else (Windows files, etc) is in sync with the registry.
Can you elaborate with relevant links? Advice much appreciated as I'm not familiar with Linux LiveCD, but I do have a computer I can do this through!
