help - stop error c0000218 keeps my computer from booting up

I am running windows 2000 and when I try to boot up my computer I get this error message:

STOP: c0000218 {REGISTRY FILE FAILURE}
The registry cannot load the hive (file):
\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE
or its log or alternate.
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable.

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance.


Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Here ya go Phil,

Repairing the registry may take some time, but here's a sight with the list to fix your issue.

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_stop.htm

 

Thanks for your help. Are the instructions for XP the same as those for windows 2000?

 

I tried all three methods with no success. I completed the first two and nothing changed. I tried the harder method but when I entered
"copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak" into the command prompt, it said "Access Denied".

 

For Windows 2000, the files are in the same location, just named differently...my bad for missing that in your first post.

Try this:

http://www.eggheadcafe.com/ng/microsoft.public.win2000.registry/post298578.asp

That particular registry error could mean that not only has the registry been corrupted, but also an impending hard drive failure.

Run a hard drive diagnostic from the drive's manufacturer's support site.

Be prepared to do a new installation...or even replace that hard drive.