xp possible registry problem and change of settings

[Dearson]

I am running windows xp home edition.
last week I recieved the following massage after restarting my system:

"Windows - Registry Recovery
One of the files containing the system's Registry data had to be recovered by the use of a log or alternate copy. the recovery was successful."

However, this massage kept coming back after every restart.
then, I began experiencing display problems: the task bar color would change to old style windows look and I had to change the settings manually through "properties/display/appearance". But, the next time it happened I completely lost the option of changing back to xp style appearance! the only display option was windows classic style.

I then refered to system restore, and it was solved for a few days. Yet, this problem keeps coming back. Just now I tried another restore point. I got a massage that the restore was not complete but my settings are back - for now.

What should I do? anyone is familiar with this problem?

Help!! - I just updated my Norton anti-virus, was prompted to restart - and the problem is back again: I do not have the xp style appearance option anymore (only classic windows)!!!!

[boyNamedFoo]

Hey Dearson,

Try doing Start -> Run and typing: sfc /scannow
This verifys all protected windows files are the originals. You will need your xp cd, not sure this will work but work a go.

If not, try downloading a registry mechanic to registry. You'll be able to find a one with an evaluation period i'm sure (i used ace utilities once).

HTH, Steve.

[Dearson]

Thank you BoyNamedFoo,

I tried your suggestion but I get an error messege whan running sfc /scannow (with the cd inside).

What exactly is a regitry utility? Is it useble for a layman like me, I am not a computer guy. from what I was able to pick here and there it's not recommended to mess around with the registry.

[Dearson]

Is there a way to install xp again without losing already installed programs, including accounts and mail?

[boyNamedFoo]

Hiya Dearson,

Sorry about late reply, hectic weekend. If you've solved your problem then ignore the rest of this.

Manually editing the registry is not really recommended unless you know what the registry is all about!

A registry mechanic or cleaner scans your registry looking for registry keys that have been added by programs (e.g. spyware) or changes to keys such as default windows keys. Before you use one though its best to let windows try and sort itself. Try this:

1) Put your XP CD in the drive
2) Restart computer making sure your CMOS will boot from the CD, do this by going into the BIOS (usually delete key during booting) and changing the boot sequence from 1st boot device floppy or HDD-0 to CD-ROM)
3) Save and exit.

The XP CD should then give you the option to repair windows. I have never used this but i'd be very suprised if it harmed anything, follow the steps; see what happens when you get back into windows.

As far as doing a clean install of xp (which i have done lots of times to improve performance and get rid of accumulated rubbish) you will lose everything stored on your hard disk unless you back it up. I back up my data (music, video, programs) to another hard drive that has no Operating System on it just folders and files. I am not sure about losing e-mails from outlook express, as i have very rarely used it, i use hotmail it would be dependent on the type of e-mail account you have. User accounts will have to be setup again during installation and all programs will have to be reinstalled i'm afraid.

What error message did you get for sfc /scannow??

Phew HTH, Steve.

[Dearson]

Thank so much.
Indeed, I have not yet solved this problem. I am sorry I cannot give you the error message 'cause my computer restarted soon after.

Anyway, now the computer changes its settings every other restart..and the same registry recovery message reappears.

I read somewhere about this process of repair but are you sure I do not need to back-up before? I do not have a secondary hard drive nor any other back-up utility.

Also, should I disable any start-up programs like Norton before booting?

[boyNamedFoo]

What does it do if you do sfc /scannow right now? Try without the CD in and wait for it to prompt for the XP CD.

Normally I wouldn't go out of windows and use DOS (the simple text and keyboard based operating system) without backing up my data but then again it is a microsoft application that you'd be using so the chance of it harming your data is slim to none.

Theres no need to disable Norton before you restart.

Do you have a notebook/laptop or a desktop PC?

I have just done a run through of the procedure I described, and got to a function called Recovery Console (It asks whether you want to reinstall or do a repair or exit i think. I got upto the point where it asked me to confirm to "repair a windows installation and restore functionality" or something along those lines. I didn't go any further but looks straight forward and a good chance of sorting your problem. As far as your concerns for your data (im trying to be careful at what I recommend you do, i'd prefer not to be responsible for some sort of failure), I think, if you have a CD burner you make up a CD or two containing files you really can't be without. If you don't have a cd writer then:

1) You can do a clean install and lose your data settings
2) Decide its not worth the risk and live with XP as it is now
3) Backup or not backup and try recovery console
4) Try a registry mechanic (99% safe i reckon).

I used a program called ace utilities and its registry cleaner numerous times and it 'seemed' to speed up windows and found about 30 registry errors!!! (It got 97% thumbs up rating so can't be bad) Get it here, with 30 day free trial:

http://download.com.com/3000-2086-10224157.html

Let me know what you do. Cheers, Steve.

[Dearson]

I have a desktop.
I am a bit hasitant about trying the install without a back-up (I already had a problem last year causing me to reinstall and lose materials). Besides, the last time I tried using Nero it did not work for some reason..

the os is xp home sp1: If I try a repair from the original cd, do you think I'll have to reupdate windows again?

I downloaded the ace utilities software. I am going to run it and see if there are any changes.

Thanks again

[boyNamedFoo]

I'd just go for the recovery, if you continue to be really apprehensive I doubt you'll fix the problem. It is very hard to lose data on a hard drive (provided you don't accidentally format it), save physical disk damage.

Did you try ace utilities; any luck? And what problems did you have with Nero, i've found it the best burning program if ever used (I have v5.5).

You wouldn't have to reinstall SP1 if you used recovery console.

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Anybody else got any ideas on what could have caused this??

[Dearson]

Bad news. I could not run the recovery as you suggested and I had other problems as well:
When I ran sfc /scannow a got a message from windows file protection:"files that are required for windows to run properly must be copied to the dll cache. insert your windows xp home edition cd-rom now."
Then, after inserting the cd, I got this message: "you have inserted the wrong cd, i.e. a different windows product cd than the version installed." I clicked retry but then I got this message:
"insert your windows xp professional service pack 2 cd."!! - it actually asks for a different version..

In addition, after running the ace utilities and deleting junk files as well as registry clean, I could not launch microsoft outlook or any other office application - it started looking for the install cd..in the end I realized that it did not require reinstall, it was just looking for a certain missing file, but boy did it get me worried..

Right now it seems that the system is stable. Surprisingly, today I did not have any anomalies with the xp appearance settings, but I remain skeptical, we'll see tomorrow..

[chappell]

i have the exactly the same problem, i'm running xp professional sp1. and norton can't find any problem

Have you solved the problem yet?

[Dearson]

I did actually, and the source of the problem was elswhere..
I noticed that most of my problems started around the time I installed a new display driver. Unfortunately, not knowing much about computers I messed up the installation - because I did not Uninstall the previous driver..
After reading some threads, I learned how to clean-uninstall old drivers and install a new driver - and All my display problems just disappeared!!

Hope that helps.

[emklein]

I have had the same problem for the past four months (ie...on startup I get the message: "One of the files containing the system's Registry data had to be recovered by use of a log or alternate copy. The recovery was successful."). This problem was driving me insane.

I am running XP professional SP1 and the problem did not have any other effect except for an annoyance factor (very much so in my case).

The problem was solved by deleting my current DDE Shares. Apparently there was some security access issue with one of them (to open DDE Share, click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type ddeshare.
A better and safer method would be to disable the Network DDE (ie. right click My Computer, select Manage/Services and Applications/Services, then select Network DDE and in the 'Sartup type' select 'Disable' in the dropdown box.
).
I have no use for the shares that were installed and don't know where they came from, I suspect they are system defaults?

[digsco]

I too have had this problem (One of the files containing the system’s registry data had to be recovered etc.) for the last couple of days. Unfortunately, and for some unknown reason, there was no earlier restore point. My system is a P4, less than a year old, and running Windows XP Home. All was working great, rock solid in fact, until I uninstalled the demo version of Nero 6. Reinstalled and uninstalled and still have the registry error. Tried disabling Network DDE Shares as mentioned in another group thread. No luck. Ran anti-virus, defragged, and checked for errors on the HD. No luck. Last time I tried to reinstall or repair Windows XP with the CD, I wound up having to install another Hard Drive, and reinstall XP to it, and then I still lost most of the e-mail and couple of other things that XP over wrote.

Has anyone come up with a definitive answer and or reason why this error occurs? I can’t find it on MS Knowledge Base. It seems this error message has been around for a couple of years. One would think there would be an answer somewhere.

Tks

Gordy

[Azn_tweaker]

try this program called CWShredder. it fixes alot of .dll files.