subject: XP Installation Help—Lean to Fix c0000218 Registry File Failure Error [print this page] Are you trying to install Windows XP on a computer with new hard disk? Are you receiving an error message "Stop: c0000218 {Registry File Failure} The registry cannot load the hive (file): SystemRootSystem32ConfigSOFTWARE or its log or alternate" during installation on NTFS partition?
Above error message occurs on a restart after installation of Windows XP when files have been copied to the hard drive.
There are various reasons why error occurs. In some cases error occurs because of incompatible hardware OR the drive on which you are loading Windows XP is damaged.
If there is hardware incompatibility issue then you should visit Microsoft Market place to find compatible hardware with Windows XP operating system. If your hard drive or file system is damaged then process the next step using XP Recovery Console.
a) Insert XP installation CD in CD-drive and reboot system from the CD
b) Press R on welcome screen to enter into Microsoft Recovery Console
c) Press Enter if password is blank otherwise type Administrator password
d) Type chkdsk/r at Recovery Console and press Enter to check errors
e) Note down errors and try to fix those
f) Reboot your machine and try to install Windows XP again
If you are still facing problem then you should replace your system's hard drive. Contact your retailer, technician or computer manufacturer for replacement.
It is expected that you would still encounter Registry issues even your operating system is successfully installed and is operational. Windows Registry problems normally occur because of accumulation of unwanted data within it. The size is registry is small on a newly installed PC but it starts growing as you start using your system. Registry size grows gradually and usually it become so large that registry files get damaged and corrupted.
In order to run PC in stable conditions you are advised to use Registry Cleaner tool for periodic registry scans. This tool automatically Fixes Internal Registry Error.
XP Installation HelpLean to Fix c0000218 Registry File Failure Error
