Windows Registry Corrupted

[DoubleK]

And I can no longer install any type of graphics driver. I attempted an Omega driver and it gave an error that a Windows registry file was missing and now I cannot install anything, Detonator or Whql.

Anyone have any clues saving a reformat how to fix this problem?

[John Prophet]

windows xp??

try reinstalling xp over the top.....by doing a "repair install"....boot from cd as if you are doing fresh install...it'll find your current window sinstall and it will give an option to repair.

if its win98se etc..just boot into windows and from there run setup.exe off of the windows 98se cd.

[DoubleK]

Thxs John, your always on the ball. Will try now. Yes XP.

[DoubleK]

I dont see any cmd for fixing the registry, I purchased oem but that shouldnt make any difference? Iam hitting "R" to enter the recovery console correct?

Iam going to do a google and see if I can find what Iam looking for while I await your guidance.

[John Prophet]

no...dont hit the "R" for repair.

just go thru the motions just like it is a fresh install....go past the "R" part....then it will search for and find the current windows install and ask if you want to repair it...so choose to repair it there.

it is a lil confusing...but just dont do the "R" cuz you dont want the recovery console...you want a re-install.

JP

[DoubleK]

Boy oh Boy! Did just that before I read your last reply and put myself into a world of recovery, lol. Had to restore that partition from an image.

It wouldnt replace some missing files for whatever reason and I was constantly stuck in setup. Safe mode cannot run in setup, last known good configuration didnt work. Oh well, live and learn, last time I switch between 2 different graphics drivers authors, lol.

Thanks the same John.

[MTAtech]

I've had occassional issues with XP and registry corruption. I think it was related to some anti-spyware software that removed necessary items from the registry. I now follow this safety procedure: Every month, or before I undertake a radical install of something, I make a Ghost image backup of the entire C drive onto a second drive installed in the PC. Then I copy that image to the server for storage. This way, even if the disk controller fries both local disks, I can still recover without re-installing software.

This won't help in this situation but could save much hassle in the future.

[DoubleK]

I bet you that is what happenned MTA Tech, I had to use a tool to remove that blasted Cool Web Search piece of crap. Old trusty Spybot and Adaware were leaving the source key.

Nice to know that our goverment still sits on its arse while peoples lives are consumed more and more with keeping their computer theirs.

Tankies!