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System registry fileis missing or corrupt - Error 0xc00000e9

I have a Compaq Presario computer that is running Windows Vista Basic, 32 bit. Two days ago, I received the message, Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

1. Insert your installation disc and restart your computer. 2. Choose your language settings, and then click next. 3. Click repair your computer.

File: \windows\system32\config\system   Status: 0xc00000e9 Info: Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing, or corrupt.

From this screen, I press "ENTER" to continue, which allows me to hit press "F8" for advanced options. No matter which button I press, it brings me back to the original screen. It does not give me the "repair your computer" option, either.

I have the Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Integrated disk, and I load it, then restart the computer, but the same screen pops up. Help anyone??

Original title: System registry fileis missing or corrupt

 

Answer
Answer

I suspect the reason the disk isn't working is because your BIOS are not configured to boot first from the CD drive.  Procedures to fix that are included below.  Before you do that and re-install your OS, let's try to repair it.  We can always do the re-install as a last resort (and the procedure is included as the last step below).

Do you know when this problem began?  Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began.  Here's the procedure: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/.  Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points.  If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two.  NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates.  Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. One of the features of System Restore is to replace the current registry with the registry that was in place at the time the restore point was created - so this may very well resolve the problem (if that's all it is).  You may need to do this from the Recovery or Installation Disk if you can't boot into your system.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk.  Here's the procedure: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html.  To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence.  To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup.  Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit.  Put the CD in the drive and reboot.  When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD.

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking – or do so from the command prompt on the disk).  Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (you can skip this step if using the disk).

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32.  Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run.  It will scan and try to fix some of your system files.  Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228.  Try to post any corrupted files here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run.  It may want to schedule itself to start at the next startup.  Agree and then reboot so the program can run. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.

If that doesn't work, then please post any repeating error messages from the Event Viewer concerning startup (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer – or typing eventvwr from the command prompt).  Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm.

If that doesn't work, we'll need to do a system repair/upgrade using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (one you own or one you can borrow from ANYONE).  Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html.  Although this will not affect your data, settings, or programs, you should still backup your data before starting just to be on the safe side. If the other procedures don't work, THIS one is almost certain to work.  You may have a lot of updates to re-install (including any service packs you had to remove).  If the version on the system came with SP1 or SP2 pre-installed and the disk is an earlier version, then you'll need to make a slipstream disk as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/151606-vista-sp1-slipstream-installation-dvd.html.  

Hopefully one of these procedures will resolve your problem.  If not, post back and we'll try something else.  Post back in any case so we'll know how it turned out.

Good luck!

Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

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If you have a Microsoft Vista DVD, these are the Repair Options that you should be offered when you Boot from it:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html

 

Above link shows what the process looks like, and a how-to, as it loads to the Repair Options.

Cheers.

Mick Murphy - Microsoft Partner

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Last updated January 14, 2023 Views 7,446 Applies to: