Toasted registry!!! I'm pretty scared about this one

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 4:05 pm

Just yesterday I ran into some real trouble with my windows software on my OWN COMPUTER!!!! (this is scaring me mucho)

(Originally Dell Dimension Prefab - 128mb RAM and 30gb HDD added)
Pentium III 500E
440BX mobo
256mb pc100 RAM running cas2
13gb ATA/66 (w/ Windows 98se and some files)
30(27.8)gb ATA/66 (files)
DVD
Sony CD-RW 32x/4x/2x
FDD

It seems that somehow, someway my windows registry has been affected and now windows won't run. Most of the time, when I power on my computer, it goes to Scandisk after an unsafe shut down, then displays the windows boot logo, and then, instead of going to the network logon screen, it goes to a screen similiar to the scandisk one and eventually says that it has replaced my registry with a "good" one. Obviously, the "good" registry wasn't and still isn't good or else I wouldn't be here.

I have not tweaked Windows except for Cable Modem optimization patches. I am a massive ftp downloader, but I would think that I would of noticed the problems after a download. I'm not really sure where this one came from. List of possibilities:

-downloaded a couple of albums of mp3's and about 2 small apps about 5 days ago(wouldn't think so)
-my mom accessed a file on a floppy from her computer on my computer
++ her computer (an HP) had serious windows problems (never mentioned registry)...got really messed up, eventually wouldn't even boot to safe mode (it's being swapped out by HP)

I would like to think that the file from the floppy caused my computer to do this and that it wasn't the ftp downloading. But I'm not sure.

Either way, I would like to restore my registry. format c: is an option, but not after I rescue some files off c:. I would think that I could use a boot disk to get into DOS and grab some of my files. I am pretty familiar with DOS and the commands necessary to locate the files and move them.

I have already tried booting into Safe Mode with Network support to try and transfer the files over my network onto anotehr comp. The computer booted relatively normally, and once I logged onto the network and the Desktop loaded, I got a "Windows error. Cannot run." error and it eventually froze and I shut it off.

I have a lot of my files on drive D:, so I shouldn't lose all of them if I have to format C:. However, will this problem remain if I only format c:? (this is not my number one choice)

And no, I didn't follow Norton's instructions to make a rescue disk (won't do that again)

Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to clearly present the situation. Thank for any help. I do appreciate it.

-el bob

ps While I was running into some regular BSOD's, I even ran into a Black screen of death

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 4:08 pm

I just noticed the size of this post and just want to say that anyone who can help me out on this problem, will have honorable mention on my site in the writeup for this.

Thanks again. -el bob

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 4:52 pm

If you are running Winn 98, start pc and hit the f8 key just before it says "starting windows 98". You should get the list of options, and choose "command prompt only".

At the command prompt, type (without the quotes) "scanreg /restore" (there is a space between the scanreg and the / ), you should get a choice of backed up registies to choose from. Choose one that has a date that is before you started having problems. Then choose restore.
Good luck!

Also consider that you may have a virus.

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 5:34 pm

Ok, thanks for the info Norm.

I was trying your first solution and ran into some problems. I've heard of scanreg /restore before so I believe that it does work, however it did not for me.

I put in my Win98 boot disk and eventually got to a DOS prompt. It started off at A:, I then switched to C: to see if my files were still there(which they were

). From the C:\> prompt, I typed:

scanreg /restore

And the following line was:

Bad command or file name

I also tried running the scanreg command in c:/windows and in c:/windows/system with no luck.

I think I'm going to go try running it off A:/. Thanks. -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 5:37 pm

Oops, I had scrolled over VonJames's post when I was looking for replies. Thank's for the post.

Anyway, I tried running it from the a: prompt with no luck.

What's going on? Thanks. -el bob

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 5:45 pm

El bob, when you bootup your pc, there's a certain place where you see "starting win 98". Just anticipate just before that pops up, then press and hold the F8 key, hold it until you hear your computer beeping madly at you.

, Then release and that should give you the menu.

You don't want to be working from the A: prompt. C:\ < is what you want.

Then type: C:\scanreg /restore

Don't use a boot disk for this.

[ 05-09-2001: Message edited by: VonJames ]

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 5:46 pm

LOL Norm !

cy · Post by cy » Wed May 09, 2001 5:59 pm

don't go from boot disk, use Von's method and it should work

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 6:00 pm

Ok, thanks guys. I pressed the F8 key and went into Command Prompt Only. It all worked fine.

I chose the 5/4/01 registry backup and loaded it. There only seemed to be 4 entries in the list. Maybe I don't know how to access older ones?

I restarted the computer and all went well until after I logged onto the Network and as the Desktop was loading, I got repetitive simple error screens:

Windows has performed an illegal operation...
(I think that was the wording)

About 5 or 6 of those errors popped up and then the screen just stayed blank with the mouse still intact.

I'm going to go try and see if there were any more registry entries in the list, but if there isn't, then the scanreg /restore option isn't going to work.

What now? Thanks. -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 6:36 pm

Ok, I was trying out Norm's second suggestion. I didn't find a system.dat file in c:/windows, maybe this is my problem?

Also, I tried moving system.1st from c: to c:/windows and it says that:

Cannot move SYSTEM.1ST - Permission Denied

-el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 6:40 pm

Ok, the reason that permission was denied as I have just found out, is because system.1st does not exist in C:.

Well, that wipes out Norm's solution number two it seems.

It seems like I got hit by a virus, but I really don't know. Just seems kind of weird that it would delete both system.dat adn system.1st.

Any ideas?

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:04 pm

I'll have to remember that "system.1st" Norm.

I heard about it before, some time ago but forgot it.
Thanks for the reminder!

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:12 pm

Ok, I did what you said.

I restarted and then got this:

While intializing device CONFIGMG:
Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer.

I get this every time the computer starts.

??? -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:13 pm

Wait, I didn't see the page two stuff.

What I did was the last instruction from Norm on page 1.

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:28 pm

Ah crap! Well, that stinks. Why would the RAM just die out like that? It's been working fine for at least a year.

Could I try installing win98 over the existing copy? Or does win98 setup require a format?

I thought I had remember people in the tweaking section just installing their OS over their existing one when they ran into trouble.

Is this possible? Thanks. -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:31 pm

I don't think I'm going to be so lucky.

I think I renamed system.dat to system.elb after I had renamed moved/renamed system.1st to system.dat. I was just trying to get things to work.

I'm not positive if I did, but I'm not going to feel too bad about it either way, I just want it to work.

Thanks. -el bob

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:35 pm

You could try to install over the install, but I truly think your better off just fdisk, and format, then reload windows. Clean installs will be the best route, however, if the RAM is the problem, not even doing this is going to help you any. I'm afraid to say that it looks like your going to lose your files.

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 7:38 pm

Lord Norm, your fast today!

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:10 pm

This is something I use generally when I'm switching a motherboard or some of my hardware configuration gets really whacked.

Go start > run > regedit > Hkey_local_machine, then delete the "Enum" folder.
It's like removing everything from your device mgr.

When you reboot, you have forced windows to redetect everything hardware.
It can usually set things right. There's no worry about your drivers because they're still there.

When windows asks for drivers, just keep pointing it to one of several folders, ie: c:\windows\inf
c:\windows\inf\other
c:\windows
c:\windows\system
etc... or to anyfolder you have third party drivers unzipped to.

If you boot up and windows doesn't detect anything, then open the control panel and go to "add new hardware" and let the wizard detect your hardware, then tell it to install everything it found.

This works like a champ. I can't say 100% of the time, but darn close.

El bob, can you get into windows with safe mode ?

[ 05-09-2001: Message edited by: VonJames ]

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:11 pm

Norm, rant or rave, or whatever you call it, I humbly accept it.

I appreciate everything you've done for me, and especially in this small time frame that we worked in soo far. I will do my best to remember what you've taught so far, but just like you said too, I'm only human.

Well, as long as I can get into a command prompt, I should be able to move my files on c: over to d: and then I'll reinstall win98 on c: after I format it.

Also, about the static discharge. Whenever I turn my PC on, I hear a loud POP! from my speakers, could this be something similar?

I'm going to go and check out the dust situation in there in a couple of minutes.

Thanks. -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:13 pm

Darnit!

I missed the 3rd page link the same way I missed the 2nd page link!

Anyway, I havn't overclocked the machine yet. Watercooling is on its way for this summer though.

Thanks. -el bob

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:15 pm

El Bob, can you get into windows in "safe mode" ?

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:21 pm

Nope. When I go into Safe Mode, I don't get the straight up Windows errors like I when I try and boot into normal mode, but rather a couple weird errors and then a series of BSOD's that eventually led to me restarting the comp.

-el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:24 pm

Yeah, maybe I wasn't clear with what I meant:

No matter what kind of writing it was (you said that it wasn't a rant), I understand what you mean and I humbly accept it.

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:28 pm

Hmm...
Well, unfortunately it sounds like a format is forthcoming.

Good luck with it!

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:35 pm

The only other machines that even have DIMMS in my house are my mom's and my sister's. My sister's is currently being used and my mom's is in the packaging to be shipped back to HP for a working replacement.

If you can remember back to the beginning of the thread. If this has been a registry/software problem, my mom's computer might be responsible.

-el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:46 pm

Possibly true, but I got papers to write and mp3's to listen to.

So I'm going to go swap the files to the best of my ability and then format.

I also checked the dust level inside the case and it wasn't bad at all.

-el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:58 pm

No problemo. -el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 8:59 pm

Oh yeah, one more thing...

I found a decent DOS command reference site that I'm using to help me transfer my files...so far so good.
http://www.easydos.com/dosindex.html

-el bob

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Wed May 09, 2001 10:15 pm

Ok, as I was installing Windows after I relocated the files and formatted the C: drive, I ran into an error:

(I was in the Preparing Directory stage of the win98se install)

Application Error
SUWIN caused a General Protection Fault in module SETUPX.DLL at 0002:46AD.

I havn't ran into this error ever before and I've installed win 98se with this cd many times.

What's the problem here?

If it is the RAM, like Norm suggested, I'm willing to buy new RAM because I was eventually going to need some good quality pc133 RAM in order to overclock my machine later on.

Any ideas? Thanks. -el bob

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 10:29 pm

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/1/07.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0

It's not the exact address of fault but it's looking like memory problems. How about the Swap File. If you can get to this link, try it and see if it helps.

You may want to look at this one instead!!! Heck check both!!!!!!
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q224/8/36.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0

This behavior can occur when any of the following conditions exist:

There are incorrect basic input/output system (BIOS) settings for a built-in peripheral device on your motherboard (for example, cache settings, CPU timing, hard disks, and so on).

Your computer has bad or mismatched random access memory (RAM) or cache (for example, if you are using EDO and non-EDO RAM, or you are using different RAM speeds).

The motherboard in your computer is not working properly.

[ 05-09-2001: Message edited by: blebs99 ]

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 10:35 pm

Yeah Norm, I'm not one to give in easily myself, but admittedly, I'm better with "hands on" tech support than trying to talk someone through something.
If I'm at the pc, I can usually figure out most problems, but helpdesk type support, I'm just not that good at it.

I agree with what you said, I too am quite shocked at some of the problems people are willing to format over. hehe

El bob, what are some of the specs of your computer ?
Have you been changing any settings in the bios ?
How many dimm's do you have ? Multiple ?
If you have more than one, try the install with each chip separately and see if you are still getting that error.

I always thought that when "himem sys" loads, it is basically testing the memory.
What do you say about that Norm ?

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 10:51 pm

According to Bill G. pages, Himem Sys does test memory. There is a switch to use to turn memory testing off. Gee I"m getting more education tonight!!!

NOTE: You can disable XMS memory testing by adding /TESTMEM:OFF to the device line that loads HIMEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file. For example,
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:OFF

[ 05-09-2001: Message edited by: blebs99 ]

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 11:08 pm

Hey Norm, have you ever checked any of this DIMM testing software?

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/demos.asp#doc

Sorry, wrong link, the correct one is above.

[ 05-09-2001: Message edited by: blebs99 ]

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Wed May 09, 2001 11:16 pm

Thanks for the info Blebs, I'll give it a closer look tomorrow.

Hey Norm, I think you have it backwards, it should be ON by default. Blebs example was how to turn it off.

Anyway, this ol' boy 's gotta hit the hay, gotta get up and go to work..... on computers.... hehehe

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Wed May 09, 2001 11:42 pm

I downloaded and ran the free Doc Memory tester. Seems to check just about every aspect of the stick. It has a quick test, burn in test, and one other. Might come in handy for us "Do it the hardway" people! lol

I'm outta here for tonight, so I hope you guys can check into Doc Memory a little closer tomorrow. It's not going to help or friend here out, I don't believe, but it is pretty neat for the "next time" scenario.
Good Night and see you in the morn perhaps.

Lex Luthor · Post by **Lex Luthor** » Thu May 10, 2001 1:18 pm

ARGH! You just beat me to it.

Go get that DOCMEM program. It creates a bootable floppy and will run a thorough test of all your memory.

Should help you rule in/out a memory problem.
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

I too am shocked at some of the things people will format over. Win Win98 or above, you should be able to fix almost anything without a format, if you have the time.

Lex

el bob · Post by **el bob** » Thu May 10, 2001 6:50 pm

Hi guys, sorry for the delay; it's been hectic.

Can I make a boot disk for the other computer with that RAM checking progam on this computer?

If so, it sounds like it might be a good idea.

Thanks for all of your help. -el bob

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Thu May 10, 2001 6:55 pm

I think so, but let me go check. I'll be back!

It is a self booting program. Just get yourself a blank formatted floppy and download the program to your hard disk and then run the installation program to the floppy. Then boot with that floppy. Also get the user guide PDF so you might be able to understand what's going on in the testing!

[ 05-10-2001: Message edited by: blebs99 ]

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Thu May 10, 2001 7:06 pm

Step 1 click to download software into your harddrive. Download DocMemory now!
Download User Guide in PDF format

Step 2 insert a blank diskette into your floppy drive and run the installation program from Hard-Drive. this step automatically format the diskette and creates a self-bootable DocMemory diagnostic disk.
Step 3 insert the installed DocMemory boot diskette into PC system that you wish to run the diagnostic. reboot PC system to begin system memory testing.
Step 4 where applicable, edit the pattern and other user defined parameters using the mouse. 2 test modes are available, Burnt-In and Quick Test mode covering an extensive test patterns to capture memory failures.
Step 5 need instructions ?
download DocMemory User Guide in PDF format to guide you into installing the software correctly.