Registry/Configuration error, Windows won't boot

Question

My Dimension XPS 450 Windows 98 has a problem! (PII 450, 128mb RAM) Windows does not boot up to start with, so i cannot do anything via Windows. I am left with the Start Up mode selction screen - Normal, Logged, Safe Mode, Step-By-Step Confirmation, Command Prompt Only, Safe Mode Command Prompt Only. When selecting safe mode or normal, the computer hangs whilst windows is loading. As the message 'Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose, Command prompt only, and run Scanreg' appears on screen with the startup menu, I presume there is a problem with the registry. Running Scanreg does not work, as it hangs right at the beginning whilst it is checking system files. Looking at responses to other people who have had this problem on the Dell Community Forum, it appears one solution is to restore a working registry from a few days back. Can you please advise me if this is the correct way to proceed. Having emailed Dell themselves I have been told to clear out the Startup environment via WIndows - but windows wont boot! also suggested was to reinstall Windows and delete the hard drive partitions, but I am reluctant to do that as I haven't had a chance to back up my hard disk. Also, does this problem have anything to do with the fact that whilst running the Dell Diagnostocs disk to try to correct the problem I was told that the computer had failed the 'USB register Test - USB1' and 'Register #0 read/write failed Found :0x006c Expected :0x0000' On a second run it said it found '0x0542'? I had assumed that the USB drives where not anything to do with the registry. Thanks

sharansankaran · Answer

http://www.pccomputernotes.com/registry/restoreregistry3.htm

sharansankaran · Answer

if you need a win-me startup disk,you can download a self extracting one at http://www.bootdisk.com. Boot with the boot disk and reach the command prompt. c:\windows\command type the following Choose 'Command prompt only' and press ENTER. Type SCANREG/RESTORE at the DOS prompt, press ENTER, and ScanReg will start up, showing the different backups available. Highlight the most recent backup and press the 'R' key on your keyboard.

sharansankaran · Answer

http://www.pccomputernotes.com/registry/restoreregistry3.htm  try this link

rups · Answer

ive tried running 'scanreg /restore' at the command prompt only as well as the safe mode command prompt only but each time scanreg hangs. in the command prompt only i do not even get a list of previous registries to install! does this mean i have to reinstall windows and lose all of the data on my hard drive?? what happens if i use the windows 98 boot up floppy disk? is this the same as reinstallation? thanks

Pamela · Answer

Make sure their is a space between the G and /     SCANREG /RESTORE Pamela

rups · Answer

yeah i made sure there was a space in scanreg /restore, but still no luck... it still hangs before i get a list of old registries to restore... any suggestions?

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