Registry crash in XP Pro?

I don't know what the bejeezus is up, but one night everything is running fine and the next morning I can't get into XP Pro <i>at all</i>.

I get as far as the loading screen and then a quick blank screen followed by a blue screen that lasts for < 1 sec before rebooting. From what I can make out from the many times I've tried to read it, it says there is a registry error "error c0000128" it can't load a "...(hive) file" from a directory "<windows root>\system32\prog\xxxxx" (<---- I don't have the specifics in front of me on the path, but I can get it if necessary). The safe mode screen comes up prior to loading, but none of the options makes any difference.

The main reason I'm confounded is that I didn't add a program or otherwise change any registry setting between the time it was running fine and the endless looping cycle of blue screen -> reboot that started the next morning.

I'm curious if this is some virus or possibly a hard disk failure where the missing file is located. Any helpful info would be nice. If there is a FAQ or link on this kind of problem, point the way. It's on a RAID 0 array (with no backup) so if it means an XP reinstallation, I can deal. If it means a HD format...that will suck more than slightly. :\

Do you have a link for that, lagger? Is the utility located at IBM's site?

find out which drive brand you have before you use this Maxtor for instance has it's own utilities and I don't know that ibm software will work on any drive other than ibm maybe BT who posted the link to DFT knows

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Have you recently upgraded to XP?

I have the "exact" same problem. I posted it here a few weeks ago.

Here's a copy an paste of the shortcut:

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/sof [...] 5680#25680

At the moment it is still on page two, the last post on the page. Called "registry error" by NMBIAN.

You can see the responses I got there.

As well I have tried following up on all of the leads that I recieved including one sending me to a microsoft knowledge base error report. I haven't solved the problem yet.

At the moment I'm thinking that it is a wysiwyg issue with word processing software. Tell me if this is makes sense to you..I have noticed the problem only after instaling Word Perfect.

I can tell you that it is not hard drive or memory, and that recovery is practically out of the question. I've basically resigned myself to formatting and reinstalling each time it happens.

Feel free to write to me directly at vienna18@hotmail.com
Especially if you find a cure. I will do the same. I will get your email from your profile, or when you write to mine.
Ian

Good luck!!!

Bryan
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