HP Pavilion desktop - A1230n - Media Center PC
Windows XP Pro Media Center Edition

Connect using Comcast ethernet cable
Have Maxtor external HD

Acronis True Image 9.0
McAfee security
Windows Firewall
SpySweeper, AdAware, SpyBot, Trend Micro Anti-spyware, CCleaner, Diskeeper Lite, Belarc, HiJack This


I don't know exactly what I did, but here's what I remember (before I arrive at the "tragic" results) -

Resizing some pictures. Realized I was taking up more space by keeping both sets. Decided one had to go-will keep resized ones on "C" and move the originals to "G"

Started "G" and began to copy from C to G. Got message that there wasn't enough room on G. Gave me the option of Disk Cleanup, which I did - resulted in 16K of compressed old files.

But then I got the idea of getting some of the stuff off of G. Started deleting stuff I didn't need on a "storage" drive. Using MY COMPUTER, I opened G. I removed some programs - Adobe Photo, one version of AOL, (Comcast) Desk Doctor, Real Arcade games, Trellian, Belarc

Then I ran Disk Cleanup again.

Then I ran Diskeeper Lite. Analysis of G showed 0% free space and suggested I need to move some stuff to another volume. So, I did more single file deleting. I got back close to 3000 in space, so I tried to run Diskeeper again and it did nothing. [Note: when I run it on the C drive my screen is about half full - when I did G, the screen was totally full!]

Later on, I wanted to copy something to MS Works (I'm out of black ink, so I wanted to change it all to blue or red or whatever and print it)- but, I got an error - the kind that says it's sending the report to Microsoft-McAfee asked for access to send it, which I granted once) (Since I couldn't use Works, I made myself a shortcut for Wordpad and did my printing)

I went to PC Tools, and to Application Recovery to "fix" Works. It read that if a pre-installed program was acting up, use this tool to reinstall it. But to uninstall it first. That made me nervous, so I decided to install (using this tool) something first, uninstall it using Add/Remove. and reinstall it to see if that worked. It did, so I proceeded to uninstall MS Works through Add/Remove. Went back to Application Recovery, ran the reinstall of MS Works and it ended saying reinstall successful. IT LIED! It was freakin' gone now!

Application Recovery states that if that doesn't work, go back into the tool and go to the next step. The next step is actually System Recovery-I proceeded, but got the error "STOP: C0000218, Registry File Failure. The registry cannot load the hive (file) \SYSTEM ROOT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SECURITY or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable."

This is the same problem I had before when I tried to do the complete system recovery in order to "repair" Internet Explorer and whatever else has been wrong (regarding the missing .msi files) (which is why HP sent me all of those disks listed below)

I couldn't get the PC back "up" without using the Acronis boot disk (I thankfully made months ago)

[Note: I tried to use that Acronis to recover, but couldn't find the "archive" they referred to - actually had no idea what I was doing.]

So, this is my new status - worse off than before and still unable to recover - even though, I have the disks I made the day I brought the computer home. I have a set of recovery disks directly from HP, including the supplemental disk for the Media Center, and I have the recovery console disk sent to me by HP. But, I do not have installation disks. I would be happy to reformat and reinstall Windows, but that would require that I BUY the disks and the license. UNFAIR! HP really has consumers by the proverbial balls!

Have no idea what to do next. I have a crappy IE and no MS Works. And who knows what else!

BTW< I don't trust myself without supervision to use the recovery console and mess with any registry or DOS editing.

Just to clarify: Are these the steps that you took in order to reinstall XP:

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows XP

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph07145

Pavilion A1230n

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

Yes, the first link contains the steps. When it gets to step 3 - where it shows the bar across the bottom of the screen, the next screen (for me) will be bright blue and contain that STOP C0000218 error.

the error "STOP: C0000218, Registry File Failure. The registry cannot load the hive (file) \SYSTEM ROOT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SECURITY or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent, or not writable."


complete error wording above--sorry

Geni

Have you tried all 3 methods:

1. Recovering from Windows XP

2. Recovering during startup

3. Recovering from recovery discs

Just for reference:

Error Message When You Install Windows XP: "STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure}"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/830084/en-us

If you know the manufacturer of the hard drive we can find their diagnostics.

How do I find out the manufacturer? Is it not HP?

BTW, when I read through the Microsoft knowledge base article, I got a really sick feeling! I hope my HD isn't damaged. But, it's a great possibility - the PC system I bought "new" from Office Depot was actually the display model. One error log I ran/printed showed errors starting from December 7th - I didn't purchase it until December 16th! What do I do?

Why is nothing ever simple and uncomplicated for me?

Look in the Device Manager: Start/Run/ devmgmt.msc

Click the + next to Disk Drives

Also did you try all of the above methods to recover?

Also just found this other link RE: your error

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...air_a_stop.htm

However it suposes a Microsoft XP CD not an OEM Recovery

Hi Jephree! When I looked in the dev mgr here's what I saw:Listed 4 times- "Generic USB CF Reader USB Device - only where CF is, MS, SD, and SM replace it, then it says "Maxtor 6L200MD" (I'm assuming that's my external HD).

Yes, I (we - me & 11 HP techs- was on the telephone with them from 2:18pm until 11:48pm that night - no exaggeration!) tried all of the options. That's why they sent me the recovery console disk - they wanted me to do whatever and relay the results to them. I chickened out because I don't feel comfortable or adept at messing with the registry - I am not that experienced - I get by is all!

I don't know if you are asking me or telling me, but I don't have any OEM disks - only the recovery set. I was led to believe that these disks contain the same information as is on the recovery ("D" drive) partition.

Do you have any idea of what is going on? I am such a nervous wreck! I can see myself appearing on "People's Court" or some other venue to try to MAKE someone (Office Depot or HP) FIX My PC!