How to repair xp corrupt registry file?

Question

I have an instalation of windows xp. It has corrupt registry hive (SOFTWARE). I am able to access system32\config folder but I have no registry backup. System Volume Information folder contains only two files and in repair folder are files 4 years old. I tried to load hive to Regedit (even win 7 one) but it says its corrupt. Is there a way to repair it?

Edit

I tried Registry Drill http://www.easydesksoftware.com/regdrill.htm but I have not success.

Solution

Windows restore points contain registry hives, if you have restore points these can be used to restore the registry to a previous state.

I would make a full disk image before you try this manual restore.

Here is how to do a manual system restore in XP

.

A. Connect your non-bootable hard drive to another computer, as a secondary drive or use a usb adapter or enclosure and boot into windows. If you can see your data on the drive, back it up Now, then follow the rest of these instructions.

B. Open Windows Explorer. Click on Tools|Folder Options|View. Check the box beside "Show hidden files and folders". Apply your change.

NOTE D: may not represent the hard drive you connected to your PC, it may be E: or F: or G:, it all depends on how many other drives (including cd/dvd) you have in your PC, So subtitute the appropriate drive letter in the instructions below.

C. Navigate to the D:\System Volume Information folder. You will see a folder named something like _restore{.........} the dots represent an alpha-numeric sequence. In this folder you will see folders named RP0....RPnn. Find the one with the highest number. These are your System Restore points. In the highest numbered folder you will see a folder named snapshot. In this folder are registry hive files which you need to recover your system:

_registry_user_.default

_registry_machine_security

_registry_machine_software

_registry_machine_system

_registry_machine_sam

D. Create a subdirectory; i.e, D:\Windows\TMP. Copy these files to the TMP subdirectory. Rename them:

default

security

software

system

sam

Note Be sure to lose the period (.) in the file named _registry_user_.default

E. Delete the files in the D:\windows\system32\config subdirectory with the same names.

F. Copy the D:\windows\tmp files to the D:\windows\system32\config. subdirectory.

G.Put your drive back in its original system. Your system should start normally. If you get the same error repeat the procedure and choose another folder ( RPnn) (next highest number). You can repeat this procedure choosing lower RPnn numbers until you get operating again.

If you are denied access to any folders you will have to take "Ownership" of the folders first. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Comments

[HaydnWVN]

Have you followed through this: How to recovery from a corrupted registry - Even with the 'old' repair files it should work as windows will detect anything else required after the repair.

[IvanH]

@HaydnWVN: Yes but c:\windows\repair contains 4 years old files so they are useless. I do not have a problem to access disk but I need the xp working as before failure.

[Ramhound]

Just extract the user files then install the operating system. If you followed the directions in the link, then you have done what you can, some problems cannot be fixed.

[IvanH]

@Ramhound This is my final solution, but I have a file and data are still inside. So it should be possible to repair it.

[HaydnWVN]

My guess about you not having newer repair files is that you previously switched off your System Restore.

[IvanH]

@HaydnWVN: Its a small netbook with 16G ssd. Its not mine I suppose that restore is switched off from very begging. I have data recovered. It is not a problem. There is no xp cd for this system. So it worth some effort (ok its my effort - just to learn something. If it was payed service, it would be cheaper to buy new pc)

[HaydnWVN]

That's all included in the KN article i mentioned in my comments to the OP who mentions his Restore Point files are '4 years old'.

[IvanH]

In System Volume Information there are no subfolders. I have no useful backup. I need something to repair the file.

[Rhys]

Manual restores are a pain in the butt.. Good luck.

[Moab]

@JeffF. Yeah, I guess if it is beyond your skill set, then just give up.

[Moab]

@IvanH, all that is left is to do is a XP repair install, there is no magic windows registry un-corrupt tool.

[IvanH]

OK It is all known solutions. Are you not interested to find something new. Everywhere you can read: Not working jus reinstall it or buy new one. But repair is the problem to solve. I know how to make it working again.

[Moab]

You have been given all the known solutions, there is no magic tool or solution.