Yes it will still be an option after those procedures.

 

PC Restore will restore it to as shipped condition, you will lose any data or programs added after you started using the PC.

 

 

 

You can do a forum search, this question has been posted too many times.

 

1.  I would suggest using the dell diagnostics extended tests, to check hardware first. You may have a failing drive.

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/deke/laptopsupport/manuals/d600/diag.htm

 

2.  Then try a chkdsk from recovery console.

http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=5097

 

 

If you have data you cannot afford to lose, remove the drive from the system and install as a secondary drive in another PC to recover data First, before doing anything else.

to fix the problem, i think you will have to do a clean reinstall of win xp et al..

 

in case you have never reformatted your computer before, the 8400 requires a "raid" driver be installed at the beginning of the process of installing win xp.. since you have a floppy drive, you can install the driver.. otherwise, you could adjust the BIOS settings so that the driver is not required..

 

you could look in "dell support" for more information about the "raid" driver and installing win xp.. in dell support, use "search" and search for "reinstall guide"..

 

here is one article that mentions the "raid" driver issue:

 

http://www.djdenham.com/8400%20Special.htm

 

 

 

Boot with the disc and choose a Repair option.

What you have is a corrupted Registry Hive not just a damaged file.

 

Here is how Microsoft says to recover which has worked for me many times:

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

 

pcgeek11