Question by Dailen M: Failed Windows XP start – corrupt hive file? I need help getting Windows XP running again, it does not start as (from the research I have done) I believe a file has gone corrupt. Here is what the screen says for a second after attempting to boot up Windows XP home: 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. [...]

Question by Slayer0606: Linux/XP boot CD/USB to wipe admin password after corrupt registry hive? My c:\windows\system32\config\security file is corrupt, so every time I attempt to log on I get the error: “lsass.exe System Error: When trying to update a password, this return status indicates that the value provided as the current password is not correct.” So obviously I can’t access my desktop, so I booted the XP repair/re-installation disk and got access to the recovery console. Then I was prompted for an admin password, and I’m stuck. I don’t have an admin password and I’ve never had an admin password. [...]