JT wrote:
I am having a problem with my computer. Every time that I turn on my computer a registry problem pops up saying this: REGISTRY PROBLEM. Windows encountered a error accessing the system registry. You should restore your registry now and restart your computer. If you ignore this error and shut down your system, you may lose data. Restoring the registry will replace the faulty registry with a known good backup copy. However, this backup copy may not contain all of the information recently added to your system. Then is says RESTOREFROM BACKUP AND RESTART.
I have done this several times and it will not go away. I don't know why this popped up but if you could help me I would greatly appreciate it.
Jeff's Answer
Your Registry has been damaged. If the error message were naming a specific file, you might be able to edit the Registry yourself and fix the error. However, nonspecific Registry problems can be pretty serious.
How did your Registry get damaged? It could be that you've started installing some new program or device and interrupted the install process. Something started registering itself with Windows, and didn't get the job completely finished. Or it wasn't meant to run under Windows 95/98. So Windows gets indigestion when it wakes up and tries to see read the Registry to find out what kind of system is supposed to be running. (I've heard similar problems arise after errant Registry editing.)
You don't say, but I'll assume you've got a CD-ROM that you're using to restore the Registry. If so, the first step is to try reloading Windows completely, not just the Registry. Many folks have run into trouble because the version of Windows 95 on the CD doesn't match the one installed on the hard drive, which could explain why your system has trouble with the Registry you restore.
I hear from dozens of people every week who've run into some Registry problem. The day I got JT's note, guess what arrived in my Berst Alert, the e-mail newsletter of ZDNet's AnchorDesk? Jon DeKeles reviewed a shareware product called RegRepair 2000. I wrote to JT and recommended he give it a try. It's free to try, under $30 to buy. Folks, that's about the cost of an oil, lube and filter on your car. If your'e like me, and your computer's worth more than your car, a little maintenance software is well worth the cost. Follow this link to read about RegRepair 2000.
Some of the best Windows help is available only by subscription. You can request a free issue of Inside Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows Professional, publications of ZD Journals.
