Reimage Review – Using Software To Fix Windows XP When The Registry Is Corrupted
Seeing a blue screen fatal error is something all Windows users dread to see. Thankfully, when it does occur there are a number of steps and safeguards for remedying the issue. This article details a logical approach to repairs based on experience culminating with a Reimage review. This repair tool can help if all other attempts at repairs have failed.
Toward the end of last year I decided to revamp some of my old computers, removing old applications and freeing up some space on the drives. Unfortunately, after rebooting the system I experienced a fatal blue screen error with the exception code 0xc0000218.
Initial research pointed to it being a fault with the registry hive. The hive is a logical grouping of keys relating to specific user. From forum advice I compiled the following sequence of steps for attempting repairs:
- Try logging in as a different user. The principal here is that their accounts registry hive may be unaffected.
- Start the system in safe-mode and replace the faulty with an old copy (assuming you back-up the registry).
- Start the computer using a Windows boot disk.
None of these approaches worked with my issue – the blue screen kept occurring. I turned to using Reimage, an automated PC maintenance software solution that works as an online service. Their site also has an application to download and burn to CD that can be used as a boot disk. It was this that drew me to the product.
After starting the system with their boot disk it is possible to access IE and the web in order for the product to run a systems scan. This covered the registry, DLL’s, system files, application files, etc. Notably it reported dozens of registry problems. As I couldn’t decipher which key in particular had caused the issue I simply ran the Reimage repair stage.
It reset registry keys and downloaded/installed file updates (including a lot of device drivers) then rebooted. Thankfully, this was successful and the machine has been working fine ever since.
It’s comforting to know that reformatting a machine is not the last option to pursue when registry faults occur. Hopefully the steps above will help others that experience the same registry problem.
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