Error Message C0000218 Registry File Failure(WidowsXP)

Hi George,

It appears to be an issue with the Operating system of your computer. However to ensure that system hardware is working correctly, you can run a diagnostic test on your computer by trying the steps below:

• Please restart the system.
• As soon as you see the blue Dell logo, start tapping the ‘F12’ key.

Note: If you wait too long and the Microsoft Windows appears, then continue to wait until you see the Windows desktop. Now shutdown your computer and try again.

• After tapping ‘F12’ key, a new window would appear in front of you. Now use the down arrow key to highlight the “Boot to utility partition” and press ‘Enter’.

 Note: (If Boot to Utility partition option is not there then you will have a “Diagnostics” option to select which starts the diagnostics directly.)

• When you get a prompt 'Were color bars displayed?’. Press 'Y' in case the color bars are displayed else press 'N'.
• Continue running the test till you get a message: No errors found so far. Would you like to continue the remaining memory steps? It might take more than 30 minutes. Press 'N' and restart the computer.

Please make a note of the error code and message on screen and if all the tests pass then it an issue with the Operating system of your computer. You can follow the steps below to resolve it:

Note: Only the Administrator account can access the Recovery Console.

• Start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive. If prompted, select any options that you must select to start from the CD drive.

Note: To start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive, your CD drive or DVD drive must be configured to do this.

• When you are prompted to select Repair or Recover, press R. This starts the Microsoft Recovery Console. 
• When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the Administrator password is blank, just press Enter. 
• Click on Start -- > Run -- > Type “cmd” in the box -- > Hit Enter. 
• At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press Enter. 
• Read the results, and then take any steps that you must take to complete the process. For example, you may be prompted to run chkdsk /f to fix certain problems. 
• Restart the computer, and then try to run Setup again.

For more information on this you can refer to the link : http://bit.ly/S7p5Be

Please reply with the findings.

Hi George,         

Have you tried running the diagnostics and steps for repairing the Operating system? Please share the result; I would be glad to assist you further.

Hi Dell-Chinmay S,

I read your suggestions to George (and I seem to have same issue as George). However, after I ran Diagnostics in my DELL Latitude D400, I received a fail test as follows:

DST Short Status Test

Error Code 1000-0142

Msg. Unit 4 : Drive Self Test Failed. Status byte = 79

What are my options? All I am interested at the moment are some files on my computer (mainly pictures), as i am aware that laptop has completed its mission all these years.

I would also like to say that your comments were very useful and easy to follow.

Thank you and look forward to hear from you with any suggestion if possible.

Altsar

Hi Altsar,

It appears to be an issue with hard drive of your computer and need replacement. If the system is under warranty, you may private message me the service tag of your computer. I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message.

Please reply with information.