Computer won't boot, registry problem?

your registry got messed up somehow. the registry is a very important part of windows. try doing a repair install of windows over your existing windows [not a reformat].

You can download ccleaner for free here: http://bit.ly/1Bk5V5C

First open CCleaner

Go to the Cleaner tab and you will be confronted by a very confusing lineup of checkboxes.

To make this brief, below is my recommended setup:

Under internet explorer check temporary internet files, cookies, and last download location. Most users don't really need this stuff. keep history and bookmarks unchecked, history is a maybe, but you don't want to lose bookmarked sites. You can normally leave Windows Explorer, System, and Advanced alone.

Run CCleaner and it will start deleting files.

afterward it will present you with a list of the files deleted, you really don't need to go through it as it will be several pages long.

The registry cleaner is recommended for slightly more advanced users. Use it after uninstalling programs as they will often leave behind incorrect registry entries.

If you decide to run Registry cleaner then review the items detected and always back up the registry (I keep a folder aside for this)

The Tools tab lets you uninstall programs and set startup programs. Why do you need this if Windows has all of these features? Especially with Vista Home Ed. The windows defender software explorer( startup programs) doesn't pick up some entries (however software explorer is easier to use).

Using CCleaner to uninstall programs and then check for leftover registry entries takes less time.

Under Options you can determine how CCleaner cleans your files. I leave this alone.

It's enough to replace the corrupt "Software" registry file with a non corrupt one from a restore point folder as described in Microsoft KB 307545. Instead of using the Recovery Console it's more convenient to boot up from a Hiren's Boot CD which can run a "Mini Windows XP" so that you can use Windows Explorer. If C is your system drive

1. go to the folder "C:\System Volume Information" and search for the most recent backup file named "_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE"

2. replace the corrupt "Software" file located in C:\Windows\system32\config with it

3. after having replaced the file you will be able to boot up normally.

In case there are no restore points since "System Restore" was disabled you can download Regrecover from http://www.regdat.com/ to see if it possibly can repair the file.

You need the winodws xp disc or a restore disc, IF you dont have the disc take it to best buy or where ever u bought it and get a repair it wel probably be 30 dollars . If you want to buy the Windows 7 CD you are lookingg at about 100 dollars plus. If you cant use money. Then gett another computer and search for how to download Windows Xp for free and reinstall the OS.

Catuion this will delete everything off your computer and most likely will be unrecoverable

blue screen of death your hard drive has been reformatted to a dump file. Windows cannot open with this format. I would go to geek squad if there is anything you need recovered see if they can help with that and they probably will put a new copy of windows xp on it.

Here is something taken direct from Microsoft's KB:

Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.

When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.

If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.

When you are prompted to do so, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.

At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:

At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:

md tmp

copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak

copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak

copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak

copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak

copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system

delete c:\windows\system32\config\software

delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam

delete c:\windows\system32\config\security

delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software

copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam

copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security

copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.

That will get you started, this is where it's from: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/en-us

If you do not feel comfortable with these steps, then take it in to geek squad OR you can do a fresh install of XP if you don't mind losing all your data