Underground Journal

Reimage Review – Fixing A Registry File When It Is Unable To Load The Hive

The registry file is one of the most crucial elements of any operating system. It stores configuration, system and application information for all users. Once damaged, it can make applications inoperable and, at worst, make the operating system unstable. This post details some steps to repairing a registry along with some software, Reimage, that can repair faults when all else fails.

Over the New Year break I decided to free some space on my laptop by removing old applications. However, after a reboot I got the dreaded blue screen. The error stated that the registry could not load the hive (this is a bundle of keys relating to a specific user). It appears the uninstalls had removed some keys they shouldn’t have.

I did some research online and decided to map out the steps for attempting repairs. These steps are as follows:

• If Windows can start up correctly, swap the registry for a back up copy.
• If Windows cannot start up then attempt starting (a) in safe-mode or (b) using the Windows boot disks. Once started swap in the older registry.
• Attempt logging in as a different user. This approach follows the theory that perhaps the registry hive only impacts a single user.
• If all else fails, resort to PC maintenance software to boot, analyze and repair the issue.

In my instance, Windows received the blue screen error in the first three scenarios. I researched online and the product Reimage targeted home/small office users who needed automated repairs. The product also has a boot disk (from their website) to work round the issue I was seeing.

Using the book disk the system started and was able to bring up IE. The tool uses an ActiveX control within IE to run a scan and reported back dozens of registry issues. The repair stage took about 5 minutes to reset keys based on the products knowledge base of correct registry configurations. After a reboot the laptop was back working again perfectly.

The key takeaways from this were that maintaining a registry back up is crucial. Additionally, it’s good to know that resorting to reformatting and reinstalling Windows is really not a last resort option when there are plenty of tools available to repair registry issues.

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