Is my computer dead?

[Cyclonepride]

I was moving stuff around yesterday, and accidently unplugged the computer when it was on. Now when I turn it on, it won't start up, even in safe mode, and always ends up at a blue screen with the following:

C0000218 registry file error \system32\config corrupt, absent or not writable. (something like that, I can't read my own writing now)

I found a way into the diagonostic software (the screen seems to be enlarged so I can't see everything on the start up page), and it appears that everything on the OS boot is suffering from system memory failure, on the system board at DIMM_1 and DIMM_2. Hopefully all that makes sense to someone, as it doesn't to me.

So is it dead? Thanks for any advice

 

[CycloneErik]

My first instinct is to say "yes," but I'll wait for somebody more authoritative.

 

[Cyclonepride]

My first instinct is to say "yes," but I'll wait for somebody more authoritative.

Me too:laugh:

 

[Cyclonepride]

It appears from the diagnostics that system memory- MATS and system memory March A are failed every test across the board.

 

[brianhos]

Can you pull the offending dimms out and see if it will boot without them? or is it all of them?

 

[Cyclonepride]

Can you pull the offending dimms out and see if it will boot without them? or is it all of them?

Seems like 95% of the problem is with DIMM_1, and the other 5% with DIMM_2. Everything else appears to be passing. I'm assuming these are on the main board, and are easy to pull?

 

[Spam]

Let me guess- a Dell?!

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Seems like 95% of the problem is with DIMM_1, and the other 5% with DIMM_2. Everything else appears to be passing. I'm assuming these are on the main board, and are easy to pull?

Yes they are easy to pull. Usually a tab on each side to push down on to release them from the board then just slip it out.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I think those are the only two memory boards, as nothing happens when they're out except a bunch of beeping. So is this as simple as replacing both boards, or am I better off replacing the whole thing?

 

[HOTDON]

Maybe swap the sticks and see if the percentages flip. Might help decide if its the memory or the board. Good luck.

 

[kilgore_trout]

I'd be surprised if just unplugging your computer would damage any hardware. To me, it sounds like a problem with your registry. Reinstall Windows.

 

[aweb84]

You could try these steps to recover the registry files as it appears they may be corrupted.

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting

 

[dmclone]

This is a software problem not hardware.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I appreciate the advice......what if I don't have a Windows start up disk?

 

[CycloneYoda]

I appreciate the advice......what if I don't have a Windows start up disk?

U





R





*
*
*
*
*
*

 

[Skyh13]

This is a software problem not hardware.

It certainly sounded like a software problem and not a hardware problem when he first mentioned it.. but it looks like he ran RAM tests? And if they failed, it at least means he need to replace the RAM..

To me, it doesn't sound like your computer is dead without repair. At first it sounded like your Windows Installation was busted, in which case you definitely would need an installation Disk to either fix it or re-install Windows. If you don't have one, you're in trouble.. you'll have to find one, or find a way to make one or something.

Otherwise, those "March A" tests and stuff sounds like you have Bad RAM, which can screw up Windows running because, well, if it can't read or write from RAM correctly, it'll crash and you'll get blue screens.

So either way, if you ran those RAM hardware tests that come with DELL computers, and it showed a lot of errors in the DIMM slots, then you need to replace the RAM. It's gone, and there's no fixing hardware.

After you replace the RAM, you'll have to try booting your computer, and only then will you be able to know whether or not your Windows installation is dead. Although I guess you could find out by placing that hard drive in another working computer, and try booting from it.. then you could find out whether Windows still works or not, but that takes a bit of work if you've never done it before.

 

[CyFever]

To verify if your hardware is working correctly, you should have something other than your HDD to boot to. If you don't have your Windows Install disk (sounds like you don't), go here and make yourself a Ubuntu CD or USB. You'll probably have to go into your BIOS and either enable booting from CD or USB or you will have to move it up in the order (before the HDD). Just boot and run as Live, don't install it. Checking things out, verify that everything is working. Once you remove the CD/USB and reboot, it will be as if it was never there. I assume you're posting from a second working computer with internet access, etc. If not you'll have a hard time with this.

As far as your memory, pay close attention when you turn your computer. One of the first things it does in the boot process is POST (power on self test). It should be verifying that your memory is working correctly. If you're getting a blue screen, it sounds like you're successfully passing the POST. If not, memory is one of the least expensive and easiest to replace components inside your computer. Get it at newegg if you need some.

If the memory proves fine and it's Windows that's b0rked, you're really going to need and install disk of some sort. If for some reason you don't have yours anymore, or you never had one (get it, he's a pirate), that Ubuntu CD/USB you made can be easily converted to a full install. It's free and fully featured. You can have it partition your HDD so you can keep your (b0rked) windows install and your files, etc. Or, just go out and pay up.

 

[Darko]

9 times out of 10 when you have a problem after you suddenly shut off the computer it's because you caused the HD to have a bad write to a file. IE it was writing to a file and you shut it off right in the middle of it, causing a corrupt file. In this case, a registry file. All that needs to be done is run a checkdisk and it should fix the file however, you need an operating system disk to do that. Borrow one from a friend. doesn't matter what version as long as it's xp
boot to the disk
press r to go to recovery console
type chkdsk /r
profit.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Ok....got ahold of an XP disk (it's xp professional rather than home, not sure if that matters), but when it starts up, "R" doesn't do anything, going into the automatic system recovery mode ends up with it asking me to insert a floppy disk (I have no floppy drive or disk) and setup ends up with a message that kbdhid.sys or isapmp.sys are corrupt, whereupon it ends the setup and restarts the computer.

Is it time to go Office Space on it?

 

[aweb84]

Wait until the disk boots up completely.

you should get 3 menu items.

Hit R to enter the recovery console

Hit enter to install windows

Hit esc to exit - I believe.

At this point Hit R. Then continue with the necessary steps.