one of the exciting things I get to do over the holidays is fix all of the shit that my family has broken
my sister's laptop is fuxed

here's the error:

Quote :

" STOP: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SOFTWARE or its log or alternate. It is corrupt, absent or not writable."

I don't have the Dell OS Recovery Utility nor do I have any of the Restore disks... I suppose an image of those disks would be helpful

right now I'm going to back up her files using an Ubuntu LiveCD

So, TWW... any advice?

11/21/2007 1:38:54 PM

alright... I've got an OS restore CD for XP Home with SP1 (which was the shit that was on there, I suppose)

I ran chkdsk from the Recovery mode and it fixed one problem but other than that shit is fine

I'm digging around the disk in Ubuntu (off the LiveCD) and it looks like there's a second partition labeled "DellUtility"

I need to figure out whether it is the DOS DSR partition or the WinPE partition from Symantec
any clues? It is a Dell Inspiron 1000 (2.2ghz Celeron, 512MB ram, 40gig HD)

Also, anyone have any good advice for transferring the files from the PC before I restore the OS?
I was thinking using a flash drive in Ubuntu... unfortunately the largest flash drive I have on hand is 256mb

11/21/2007 4:59:22 PM

It could be the Dell diagnostic tools that are built-in - press F12 and see if it is one of the boot options.

If it's the actual image for restoring the OS then Ctrl+F11 - the key is to press the combination as soon as the blue bar hits the top of the screen on boot. You should get the option to "OK" before the process actually begins and everything is gone.

As far as transferring files - crossover cable to another PC? burn CD or DVD? Do a lot of small transfers on your 256 MB flash drive? Remove HDD and connect externally via usb-IDE adapter? There are lots of ways to get the files - depends on the tools you have available.

11/21/2007 5:14:31 PM

^I hate the fact that Dell isn't sending OS recovery CDS with thier computers anymore. I mean you paid for the damn OS, why shouldn't they give you the CD? Isn't that an older laptop? So you DO have the Dell OS Recovery CD that came with it?

[Edited on November 21, 2007 at 5:37 PM. Reason : .]

11/21/2007 5:36:27 PM

yeah I dug up A recovery cd

Windows is booting since I rolled back the registry

but it is INCREDIBLY slow... I mean like 5-10 minutes to boot
however, that was the problem to begin with

I'm going to try to slog through that and transfer the files over the network

I'm thinking that I want to reinstall anyway because this shit is rife with trojans and malware

11/21/2007 7:24:22 PM

alright... boot time is significantly improved
I did a whole lot of maintenance

it was infected with the Vundo (Virtumonde or Virtumundo) trojan
I am not sure that I've gotten it entirely

any advice on dealing with Vundo?
or does anyone know who is writing it so I can punch their teeth out?

11/22/2007 4:33:29 PM

tell her to quit looking at porn.

11/22/2007 4:49:02 PM

Quote :

"^I hate the fact that Dell isn't sending OS recovery CDS with thier computers anymore. I mean you paid for the damn OS, why shouldn't they give you the CD? Isn't that an older laptop? So you DO have the Dell OS Recovery CD that came with it? "

Thats wierd, my wife bought a dell laptop this week, it just came yesterday and had all of the CDs with it, including 2 recovery discs and a vista disc.

11/22/2007 5:32:45 PM

from what I understand the recovery disks are options that cost about $6-7 more

11/22/2007 5:54:28 PM

yeah they are optional... and I wish I got mine. Saving 10 bucks has cost me weeks of being pissed off.

11/23/2007 12:41:17 AM